[Effect of a highly hypocaloric diet on the control of morbid obesity in the short and the long term].
BACKGROUND
The ponderal evolution and biochemical parameters during the in patient administration of a highly hypocaloric and high protein diet (VLCD) were evaluated. The efficacy at medium term of this treatment was determined and the possible determining factors of the ponderal evolution were analysed.


METHODS
A VLCD was administered to 20 women with morbid obesity during 21 days. The modifications of the biochemical parameters were determined during admission. The ponderal evolution was studied during hospitalization and during 9 months of out patient follow up. The prognostic factors of ponderal evolution analyzed were: age, attempts to lose weight, familiar history of obesity, maximum weight attained, weight and index of body mass (IBM) at study initiation and admission, loss of weight during admission and the number of out patient controls.


RESULTS
During hospitalization, a mean loss of 7.0-1.9 kg, a significant decrease in glycemia, cholesterol, triglycerides, lymphocytes and blood pressure were observed. It was found that ponderal loss at 3 and 6 months may be predicted by IBM upon initiation of the study. At 9 months weight was lower than at initiation of hospitalization but not than at discharge (p < 0.001). Weight upon initiation of the study and the maximum reached explain the weight at 9 months in 82.5% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Highly hypocaloric and high protein diets lead to a significant weight loss which is maintained at medium term and an improvement in the factors of cardiovascular risk are observed. Of the factors evaluated, only the grade of obesity significantly influences ponderal evolution.
Blanch Miró
S
S
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Sant Joan, Reus.
Recasens Gracia
M A
MA
Solà Alberich
R
R
Salas-Salvadó
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000178:diet therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
Efecto de una dieta altamente hipocalórica sobre el control de la obesidad mórbida a corto y medio plazo.