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Using a Greater Number of Meal Replacement Entrees Helps Prevent Weight Regain in Maintenance
Gotthelf, L., Grant, L.
Obes 2008; 16 suppl 1: s158
Objective: Using portion-controlled meal replacements has emerged as one of the most effective strategies for weight loss. More controversial is whether meal replacements are a useful strategy for preventing weight regain. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of meal replacement entrees in helping maintenance patients maintain or lose weight.
Methods & Subjects:
• Data were analyzed from 142 consecutive maintenance patients in 3 different medical facilities offering the HMR® Program for Weight Management™.
• Patients participated in Healthy Solutions (a moderate calorie-restricted diet) and then joined the maintenance program.
• For this analysis, patients were categorized by the average number of entrees used per week in maintenance.
Program: HMR offers a range of weight-loss treatment options, including medically supervised low and very low-calorie diets, moderately restricted diets and phone-based programs as well as long-term maintenance. The program is based on measurable, evidence-based variables allowing for specific goals to be set and compliance to be tracked. All options for weight loss and maintenance focus on the same lifestyle changes: increased physical activity (≥ 2000 kcal/wk); use of meal replacements (≥ 35/wk in weight loss and 14/wk in maintenance); increased vegetable and fruit intake (≥ 35/wk) is included in some weight-loss options and in maintenance.
Results:
Measure
|
> 12 Entrees |
< 12 Entrees |
Shakes / week
|
23.6 |
17.8* |
| Total Meal Replacements / week |
44.3 |
30.5* |
| Vegetables & Fruit / week |
47 |
43 |
| Physical Activity (kcal) / week |
2551 |
2241 |
| Weight Change in Maintenance |
-7.8 lbs. |
0.08 lbs.* |
*p < .05
• The average weight loss for these patients was 31 pounds in an average of 17 weeks with an additional 1.4 pounds lost in maintenance. Patients were in the program for an average of 42 weeks total.
• Those using < 6 entrees per week (n=38), gained weight (average of 1.8 lbs).
Conclusions: Meal replacement entrees are highly effective tools for preventing weight regain as they are structured, portion-controlled and can be made into filling meals by adding vegetables. Patients can be encouraged to use meal replacement entrees as a strategy to help prevent weight regain in maintenance.
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