Abstract
To examine changes in weight and related outcomes in response to a commercial weight loss program compared to a self-directed diet in adults with overweight or obesity. Participants were randomly assigned [stratified by body mass index (BMI) and age] to a commercial weight loss program (n = 38) or to a self-directed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet (n = 40) for a 16-week period. Daily energy intake goals were 1,500 kcal/d for men and 1,200 kcal/d for women, except for the first week of the commercial program (1,000 kcal/d). This study was registered at http://ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03017443). Primarily Caucasian (71%) women (n = 61) and men (n = 17) from the greater metropolitan area of the city of Chicago, IL, USA. with a mean baseline BMI of 34.4 kg/m2, body weight of 95.7 kg, and age of 50.4 years. Data = mean (95% CI). At week 16, the commercial program group lost significantly more body weight [-5.9 (-7.5, -4.3) kg vs. -1.8 (-2.9, -0.8) kg; or -6.4 vs. -1.8% of initial body weight, respectively], fat mass [-4.4 (-5.7, -3.1) kg vs. -1.2 (-2.1, -0.4) kg] and total body circumference (chest + waist + hip + upper arm + thigh) [-16.9 (-21.5, -12.3) cm vs. -5.8 (-9.0, -2.6) cm] (p < 0.01 for all). Additionally, more participants in the commercial program group lost a clinically meaningful amount of weight, defined as ≥5% of initial body weight, at week 16 (58% vs. 13%, p < 0.001). The commercial program resulted in greater weight loss and improvements in body composition/anthropometric parameters compared to a self-directed DASH diet over a 16-week period. Some important limitations were that no objective measurements of dietary intake or physical activity were collected to potentially ascertain the independent or combined effects of these components on weight loss (or lack thereof). Additionally, future research is warranted in order to understand the effects of this program, and similar programs, on longer term changes in body weight, in particular weight loss maintenance, as weight regain is common following the cessation of a structured weight loss intervention.
Highlights
Factors contributing to weight gain are complex and obesity remains a multifaceted public health problem [1, 2]
One approach shown to be useful in supporting weight loss is provision of pre-portioned foods and beverages [5,6,7,8], especially compared to more conventional dietary advice, such as self-selected diets based on general concepts such as variety and moderation [9]
Some commercially available weight loss programs utilize this approach, data from randomized clinical trials documenting the degree of weight loss achievable with these programs are needed
Summary
Factors contributing to weight gain are complex and obesity remains a multifaceted public health problem [1, 2]. Improving diet and physical activity remain the foundation of most obesity interventions. In this context, the role of commercially available weight loss programs has received increased attention by the scientific community [3, 4]. One approach shown to be useful in supporting weight loss is provision of pre-portioned foods and beverages (i.e., meal replacements or portion and calorie controlled foods) [5,6,7,8], especially compared to more conventional dietary advice, such as self-selected diets based on general concepts such as variety and moderation [9]. Some commercially available weight loss programs utilize this approach, data from randomized clinical trials documenting the degree of weight loss achievable with these programs are needed
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