Long-Term, Sustained, Lifestyle-Induced Weight Loss in Severe Obesity: the Get-Real Program

Abstract

To study the long-term effectiveness of a patient-centered, multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention treatment in patients medically eligible for bariatric surgery. Using a case-control study design, we compared treatment results for 98 adults (mean body mass index [BMI], 44.2 kg/m(2)) with the outcomes of 148 controls (mean BMI, 43.0 kg/m(2)) receiving standard care. The approach included a phased triage for inclusion, followed by 12 lifestyle intervention group sessions alternating with individual visits for behavior, diet, and exercise instructions. At 2 years, weight loss averaged 15.3 ± 1.4 kg (P<.0010) (12 ± 1% of initial body weight [IBW], P<.001; 21 ± 2% of excess body weight [EBW], P<.001) in an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis; in completers, weight loss was 18.8 ± 1.5 kg (P<.001) (15 ± 1% IBW, P<.001; 26 ± 3% EBW, P<.001). A total of 42 patients lost ≥10% IBW. Controls remained weight stable (P = .35); 3% lost ≥10% IBW. Patients achieving weight loss that would be considered satisfactory for bariatric surgery included 20% who achieved ≥35% EBW loss, 29% who achieved a BMI <35 kg/m(2) (if starting BMI <50 kg/m(2)) or BMI <40 kg/m(2) (if starting BMI ≥50 kg/m(2)), and 37% who achieved EBW loss ≤50%. These values for completers were 31, 39, and 48%, respectively. In the 55 patients starting the program ≥4 years ago, weight loss maintenance of 12 ± 1% IBW (ITT, 16 ± 1% in completers) was observed. Substantial nonsurgical weight loss, maintained at 2 to 4 years, is achievable in severely obese patients using comprehensive lifestyle approaches; the efficacy/safety trade-off in obesity treatment is an important consideration in interpreting these results.