Reporting quality of randomized trials in the diet and exercise literature for weight loss.
BACKGROUND
To adequately assess individual studies and synthesize quantitative research on weight loss studies, transparent reporting of data is required. The authors examined the reporting quality of randomized trials in the weight loss literature, focusing exclusively on subject characteristics as they relate to enrollment, allocation, and follow-up.


METHODS
An extensive literature review, which included a computerized search of the MEDLINE database, manual searches of bibliographic references, and cross-referencing of 92 review articles was conducted. A checklist, based on CONSORT recommendations, was used to collect information on whether or not authors reported age, gender, co-morbid disease, medication use, race/ethnicity, and postmenopausal status. Also tracked was whether or not initial and final sample size was reported and stratified by gender.


RESULTS
Of 604 possible articles, 231 articles met eligibility criteria. Important subject characteristics were not reported as the following breakdown indicates: age (11%), gender (4%), race/ethnicity (86%), co-morbid disease states (34%), and medication use (92%). Additionally, 21% of articles failed to report initial sample size by gender while 69% neglected to report final sample size by gender.


CONCLUSIONS
Inadequate reporting can create difficulties with interpretation and can lead to biased results receiving false credibility. The quality of reporting for weight loss studies needs considerable improvement.
Gibson
Cheryl A
CA
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City 66160, USA. cgibson@kumc.edu
Kirk
Erik P
EP
LeCheminant
James D
JD
Bailey
Bruce W
BW
Huang
Guoyuan
G
Donnelly
Joseph E
JE
D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D015431:Weight Loss
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