title: Very-low-calorie diet in the treatment of massive obesity: preliminary experience.
abstract: Twenty-two consecutive obese patients were given very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) in the form of a casein and lactose preparation dissolved in orange juice containing 43.0 g protein, 30.4 g carbohydrate and 1.1 g lipid in a total of 317 kcal (1.3 MJ) daily. VLCD was given intermittently in eight-week periods alternating with three-week periods of conventional diet (900-1200 kcal, 3.8-5.0 MJ) to ensure recuperation of lean body mass and to establish a therapy which may facilitate indefinite patient compliance. In case of persisting hunger, diethyl-propion was given in small doses. The median observation time was nine weeks (range 1-37 weeks). The median weight loss was 15.5 kg (range 3.8-39.2 kg), and the median overweight decreased from 85.5 per cent (range 43-135 per cent) to 61.0 per cent (range 19-100 per cent). Blood glucose and cholesterol fell significantly (P < 0.01), and no major side-effects were observed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000592:standards*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004053:Diethylpropion / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014815:Vitamins; D004053:Diethylpropion