Weight loss in a UK commercial all meal provision study: a randomised controlled trial

Mellor, D. D.; Whitham, C.; Goodwin, S.; Morris, M.; Reid, M.; Atkin, S. L.

Abstract

Background:

Effective approaches are needed to address the increasing prev- alence of overweight and obesity. The present study investigated whether all meal provision was a more effective and acceptable method for weight loss than a self-directed diet.

Methods:

This randomised controlled trial recruited 112 men and women with a body mass index in the range 27–35 kg m–2, who had no comorbidi- ties, from the local area of Hull. Participants were randomised to receive either meal provision or follow a self-directed diet for a 12-week period that resulted in an estimated 2928 kJ day␣1 (700 kcal day␣1) deficit. A dietitian supervised both dietary interventions.

Results:

At 12 weeks [mean (SEM)], percentage weight loss in the meal provision group was 6.6% (0.5%) compared to 4.3% (0.6%) for those on the self-directed diet. In terms of clinically relevant weight loss, 61% of par- ticipants lost 5% or more of their body weight with meal provision com- pared to 22% on the self-directed diet (P < 0.001). Weight loss was associated with wellbeing in both groups. Attrition was less apparent with 7% of those participants receiving meal provision withdrawing from the study compared to 41% of those following the self-directed diet (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Meal provision was a more effective and accepted method for weight loss over a 12-week period compared to a self-directed diet. This may in part represent the difference between being given the meal provision food free of charge. However, longer-term maintenance studies need to be undertaken to ascertain their effects on the maintenance of weight loss.

Citation

Mellor, D. D., Whitham, C., Goodwin, S., Morris, M., Reid, M., & Atkin, S. L. (2014). Weight loss in a UK commercial all meal provision study: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 27(4), 377-383. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12171

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Oct 23, 2013
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Deposit Date: Oct 28, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 28, 2013
• Journal: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
• Print ISSN: 0952-3871
• Electronic ISSN: 0952-3871
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 377-383
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12171
• Keywords: Weight Loss Meal Replacement
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1005003
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jhn.12171