Research

Energy balance

A formula-based low-calorie diet (800 kcal/day) supplemented with 200g non-starchy vegetables for 8 weeks serves as an effective weight loss induction phase for adults with obesity (BMI 30-39.9), provided participants achieve >4kg weight loss to qualify for maintenance.

To kickstart weight loss, use a structured 8-week program involving 800 kcal of formula meals daily, plus 200g of non-starchy vegetables. This creates a strong caloric deficit. You must lose at least 4kg in these 8 weeks to move to the next phase of personalized maintenance.

ModerateSupportsVERY_LOW confidence
Each meal provides 200 kcal. A total daily calorie intake of 800 kcal exclusively by formula products is predetermined... an additional daily intake of 200 g raw or cooked non-starchy vegetables is allowed... only participants that achieved a weight loss over 4 kg after 8 weeks of LCD, are eligible for randomization into one of the four weight maintenance intervention arms
Anna Reik et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2020

Why this rating

This is a study protocol/design paper; no results or effect sizes are reported yet.

Source

Randomized Controlled Lifestyle Intervention (LION) Study for Weight Loss and Maintenance in Adults With Obesity—Design and Methods

Anna Reik et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2020

DOI 10.3389/fnut.2020.586985

rct · n=504Cited 10×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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