Research

Adherence

Very-low-calorie diets (VLCD) combined with behavior modification and active follow-up yield the highest median success rate (38%) among specific regimen combinations.

If you choose a Very-Low-Calorie Diet (300-600 kcal/day), you significantly increase your chances of long-term success (up to 38%) ONLY if you also engage in behavior modification and receive active, regular follow-up from a clinic. This intensive approach was the most effective combination found, though data was limited.

LimitedQualifiesLOW confidence
Combining VLCD and behaviour modification with active follow-up appears to be the most efficacious treatment (median success rate 38%) but the total number of subjects was only 71 (two study groups).
C. Ayyad et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2000

Why this rating

Based on only two study groups totaling 71 patients; high heterogeneity and small N limit statistical power.

Source

Long‐term efficacy of dietary treatment of obesity: a systematic review of studies published between 1931 and 1999

C. Ayyad et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2000

DOI 10.1046/j.1467-789x.2000.00019.x

systematic_review · n=3030Cited 356×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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