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Aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effects of two obesity treatment modalities: lifestyle intervention coupled with surgery and lifestyle intervention coupled with low-energy diet. Material-Methods: A total of 32 morbidly obese women participated in the study. A group of them (n=15) underwent vertical banded gastroplasty and they were assigned to the lifestyle plus surgery group (LS-surgery). The rest of them (n=17) were assigned to the lifestyle plus low-energy-diet group (LS-diet). Results: The LS-surgery group lost significantly more weight after 12 months than the LS-diet group (46.4±3.0 kg vs. 18.5±3.0 kg, P<0.001) and this difference remained significant till the 36-month follow- up assessment. Conclusions: Even though the combination of intensive lifestyle intervention along with low-energy-diet resulted in weight loss and maintenance, this effect was less pronounced than the one achieved through the combination of lifestyle modification and surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of the daily consumption of isoenergetic quantities of fresh banana, banana juice or water, as snacks, on energy intake and body weight in healthy women. Material-methods: Thirty-three pre-menopausal women aged 19-50 years old, having Body Mass Index between 24-30 kg/m², were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: "Banana", "Juice" and "Water". Volunteers were asked to consume on a daily basis for two months, 30 min before lunch and dinner, 120 g of fresh banana or 170 mL of banana juice or 170mL of water, respectively. Body weight and dietary intake were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study. At the end of the study, self-reported changes in their appetite-related feelings, compared to the pre-intervention state, were also recorded. Results: Body weight ("Banana Group": 74,7±11,4 and 75,2±11,4 kg, "Juice Group": 68,9±7,7 and 69,5±7,4 kg, "Water Group" 73,8±6,9 and 74,3±7,4 kg, at pre- and post-intervention respectively, P=0,979) or energy intake values were not significantly different at the end of the intervention, compared to the pre-intervention levels, in any of the three groups; furthermore, no significant intervention effect was found for these outcomes. Participants in the "Banana Group" reported greater reduction in the feeling of hunger (P=0,052) and a greater increase in the feeling of fullness (P=0,028), compared to those in the "Juice Group". Conclusions: Daily consumption of banana and banana juice does not lead to an increase in body weight, finding suggesting that ad¬equate energy compensation takes place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]