Energy balance
A structured 12-month primary care program using a low-energy liquid diet (LELD) followed by food reintroduction and maintenance achieves a clinically significant, sustained weight loss of ≥15 kg in approximately one-third of severely obese patients (BMI ≥40 kg/m2).
If you have severe obesity (BMI 40+), a structured program using a low-calorie liquid diet for 12 weeks, followed by a gradual return to solid foods and maintenance support, can help you lose and keep off at least 33 pounds (15 kg). This approach is feasible in regular doctor's offices and costs much less than surgery, offering a viable alternative for those who cannot access or prefer not to have surgery.
A care package within routine primary care for severe obesity, including LELD, food reintroduction, and weight-loss maintenance, was well accepted and achieved a 12-month-maintained weight loss of ≥15 kg for one-third of all patients entering the programme.
Why this rating
Feasibility study with no control group; results are indicative rather than definitive proof of efficacy compared to standard care.
Source
Feasibility and indicative results from a 12-month low-energy liquid diet treatment and maintenance programme for severe obesity
Michael E. J. Lean et al. · British Journal of General Practice · 2013
DOI 10.3399/bjgp13x663073
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