Very low calorie diets safe for teens with obesity when monitored by a dietitian, say researchers

Quick-term very low calorie diets are protected for youngsters residing with average to extreme weight problems when intently 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 research discovered a really low calorie food regimen to be an appropriate option to drop extra pounds, regardless of experiencing unwanted effects.

Very low vitality 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 an alternative choice to weight loss remedy for young people who don’t reply to traditional food regimen and train applications and could also be used as an alternative of bariatric surgical procedure as a way of transitioning to a wholesome, balanced food regimen.

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

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

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

For the research, 141 (70 feminine) members aged 13–17 years with weight problems and at the least one obesity-related complication, reminiscent of high blood pressure, insulin resistance or dyslipidemia, consumed 800 energy a day from both 4 Optifast formulated meal alternative 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 supplied help at the least 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 at the least one side-effect throughout the VLED and most (70%) skilled at the least three side-effects. Starvation, fatigue, headache, irritability, free stools, constipation, nausea and lack of focus have been commonest. Seven members skilled viral infections.

Aspect-effects have been commonest 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, probably indicating elevated adherence to the VLED.

The adolescents rated the intervention 61/100 for “simple to comply with” (simple = 100, troublesome = 0) and 53/100 for “pleasant to comply with” (pleasant = 100, not pleasant = 0 factors).

Losing a few pounds (34% of members) and the prescriptive construction (28% of members) have been the most-liked elements of the VLED intervention. The restrictive nature (45% of members) and style of meal alternative merchandise (20% of members) have been preferred least.

The researchers conclude {that a} well being professional-monitored VLED may be carried out safely within the short-term and, regardless of side-effects, is suitable 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 speedy weight reduction, their use needs to be emphasised in medical observe tips for the remedy of severe obesity and obesity-related problems in adolescents, particularly earlier than pharmacological or surgical intervention.

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

Offered by
European Affiliation for the Examine of Weight problems