Very low calorie diets secure for teenagers with weight problems when monitored by a dietitian, say researchers

Quick-term very low calorie diets are secure for youngsters dwelling with average to extreme weight problems when carefully monitored by an skilled dietitian, says new analysis to be introduced on the European Congress on Weight problems (ECO 2024).

As well as, most of the adolescents who took half within the Australian examine discovered a really low calorie food regimen to be a suitable option to drop some weight, regardless of experiencing unwanted effects.

Very low power diets (VLED) sometimes contain taking in ≤ 800 energy per day and embrace meal replacements (bars and shakes) to make sure all important nutrient necessities are met. VLEDs present a substitute for weight reduction remedy for younger folks who don’t reply to traditional food regimen and train packages and could also be used as a substitute of bariatric surgical procedure as a method of transitioning to a wholesome, balanced food regimen.

Though research have proven that VLEDs can result in fast weight reduction in younger folks, there’s little or no knowledge on basic unwanted effects (e.g., headache, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation) and the acceptability of VLEDs in younger folks. There may be additionally restricted knowledge on the impression of VLEDs on the expansion, coronary heart well being and psychological well-being of younger folks and, in consequence, some physicians have been reluctant to make use of them on this age group.

To study extra, Dr. Megan Gow, of Youngsters’s Hospital Westmead Medical College, The College of Sydney, Westmead, Australia, and colleagues carried out a sub-analysis of knowledge from Quick Observe to Well being, a 52-week examine into the acceptability of various consuming plans to adolescents with weight problems.

Knowledge from the primary 4 weeks of Quick Observe to Well being, throughout which contributors adopted a nutritionally balanced VLED to kick-start their weight reduction, was included within the sub-analysis.

For the examine, 141 (70 feminine) contributors aged 13–17 years with weight problems and not less than one obesity-related complication, equivalent to hypertension, insulin resistance or dyslipidemia, consumed 800 energy a day from both 4 Optifast formulated meal substitute merchandise per day (shakes, soups, bars and/or desserts), with low carbohydrate greens (for instance, broccoli, celery, capsicum, mushrooms and tomatoes) and 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, or three Optifast formulated meal replacements and one meal consisting of 100g–150g lean, cooked meat, low carbohydrate greens and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.

A dietician offered help not less than weekly. Weight was recorded at baseline and week 4 and side-effects have been recorded at day 3/4 and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The adolescents additionally crammed in a survey about how acceptable they discovered the VLED, together with what they preferred most and least.

Nearly all of the adolescents (134/141) accomplished the VLED (common age of 14.9 years, 50% male), regardless of side-effects being quite common. Common weight reduction was 5.5kg (12lb).

Almost all (95%) skilled not less than one side-effect through the VLED and most (70%) skilled not less than three side-effects. Starvation, fatigue, headache, irritability, free stools, constipation, nausea and lack of focus have been most typical. Seven contributors skilled viral infections.

Facet-effects have been most typical on the finish of week 1 and experiencing extra side-effects at day 3-4 was related to larger weight reduction on the finish of the 4 weeks, presumably indicating elevated adherence to the VLED.

The adolescents rated the intervention 61/100 for “straightforward to observe” (straightforward = 100, tough = 0) and 53/100 for “satisfying to observe” (satisfying = 100, not satisfying = 0 factors).

Reducing weight (34% of contributors) and the prescriptive construction (28% of contributors) have been the most-liked facets of the VLED intervention. The restrictive nature (45% of contributors) and style of meal substitute merchandise (20% of contributors) have been preferred least.

The researchers conclude {that a} well being professional-monitored VLED might be applied safely within the short-term and, regardless of side-effects, is appropriate for a lot of adolescents with average to extreme weight problems.

Dr. Gow says, “Extra analysis is required to find out who could be most suited to a VLED. Nevertheless, given the related fast weight reduction, their use must be emphasised in medical observe tips for the remedy of extreme weight problems and obesity-related issues in adolescents, particularly earlier than pharmacological or surgical intervention.

“Adolescents who’re looking for remedy for his or her weight problems ought to see their household physician to debate remedy choices.”

Offered by
European Affiliation for the Research of Weight problems