MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE OBESITY BY A SHORT-PERIOD OF INTENSIVE INPATIENTDIETARY RESTRICTION AND COUNSELING - AN EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS

Nineteen obese patients (mean BMI 44.6) were admitted for 5 days on a 2720 kJ (650 kcals) per day diet and intensive dietary counselling. Se venteen of the patients had serious co-existent medical conditions or complications of their obesity. All patients lost weight on the hospit al diet (mean weight loss 1.8 kg). Ten patients (53%) completed the su bsequent 12-month follow-up. Of these, only one achieved significant w eight loss, losing 38% of the initial excess weight. The other nine ei ther maintained or gained weight. Forty-seven per cent were lost to fo llow-up at 3 or 6 months. The results confirm the tendency of the seve rely obese to default from follow-up and to regain weight previously l ost. It is concluded that short-term admission on a 2720 kJ (650 kcal) per day diet is ineffective in the long-term management of refractory obese patients, even in those with co-existent medical conditions.