Lessons from obesity management programmes: greater initial weight loss improves long-term maintenance.
It is a common belief that weight loss achieved at a slow rate is better preserved than if the weight is lost more rapidly. However, the literature shows that initial weight loss is positively, not negatively, related to long-term weight maintenance. There is evidence from randomised intervention trials to support that a greater initial weight loss induced without changes in lifestyle (e.g. liquid formula diets or anorectic drugs) improves long-term weight maintenance, providing it is followed by a 1-2 years integrated weight maintenance programme consisting of lifestyle interventions involving dietary change, nutritional education, behaviour therapy and increased physical activity. In conclusion, we find evidence to suggest that a greater initial weight loss as the first step of a weight management programme may result in improved sustained weight maintenance.
Research Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark. ast@kvl.dk
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D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
D001067:Appetite Depressants