Weight regain after total meal replacement very low‐calorie diet program with and with‐out anti‐obesity medications

Abstract

Abstract Background Very low‐calorie diets (VLCDs) employing total meal replacement (TMR) offer substantial short‐term weight loss. Concurrently, anti‐obesity medications (AOMs) have shown promise as adjunctive treatments when combined with VLCDs. Aims This study aimed to investigate the impact of adjuvant AOMs on weight loss and weight regain within a comprehensive lifestyle program. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients with obesity enrolled in VLCD/TMR programs, specifically the OPTIFAST program. Results Data from 206 patients (68% women, mean age 52.39 ± 13.05 years, BMI 41.71 ± 7.04 kg/m2) were analyzed. Of these, 139 received no AOM (AOM‐), while 67 received AOMs (AOM+). Total body weight loss percentages (TWL%) at 6 and 18 months were −17.87% ± 7.02 and −12.10% ± 11.56, respectively. There was no significant difference in 6‐month weight loss between the AOM groups. However, the AOM + group exhibited lower weight regain (3.29 kg ± 10.19 vs. 7.61 kg ± 11.96; p = 0.006) and weight regain percentage (WR%) (31.5% ± 68.7 vs. 52.16% ± 64.4; p = 0.04) compared with the AOM‐ group. Conclusion The findings highlighted the potential of AOMs and VLCD/TMR as effective strategies for long‐term weight management in individuals with obesity.

Keywords

• obesity
• pharmacotherapy
• total meal replacement