Abstract:
Objective: Obesity is a rising global health concern. Research on the long-term effectiveness of integrating intensive lifestyle modification (ILM) and meal replacement (MR) interventions for obesity management, particularly over extended periods is limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of ILM alone and combined with MR on weight loss and body composition among obese individuals. The sustainability of these interventions over 52 weeks was also investigated.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including 702 participants divided into three groups: ILM + MR, ILM only, and a non-ILM control group. Anthropometric and metabolic data were collected at baseline and 52 weeks. Outcomes were analyzed using ANOVA and paired t-tests to assess changes in weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), visceral fat, body fat percentages, and body muscle percentages.
Results: The ILM + MR group demonstrated the most significant improvements in weight (-14.43 kg), BMI (- 5.54), and waist circumference (-7.41 inches) at 52 weeks (p <0.001), alongside increased muscle mass (+2.33%) and reduced fat mass (-7.54%). The ILM-only group achieved moderate improvements, whereas the control group exhibited negligible or adverse changes. These results underscore the enhanced effectiveness of combining ILM with MR compared to ILM alone.
Conclusions: This study provides robust evidence supporting the integration of ILM with or without MRs during the first 8 weeks programs for sustained weight loss and improved body composition. The findings contribute to the development of practical, scalable strategies for addressing obesity in public health settings, particularly in resource-limited environments.
Keywords: Obesity; Intensive Lifestyle Modification; Meal Replacement; Weight Loss; Body Composition
