Effectiveness of Medically Supervised Diet Protocols

Published Comparison of Medically Supervised and Unsupervised Weight Loss Programs

For clinical trials specifically comparing weight loss results between patients receiving medical supervision and those not receiving supervision, data in the literature suggests a benefit for physician involvement.

During the first 6 months of the study, patients seen by physicians lost weight and significantly reduced the number of antihypertensive drugs taken; those not seen by physicians gained weight. At the end of the year, medically supervised patients lost weight, whereas non-medically supervised patients gained weight.

In comparing gainers and losers regardless of group assignment, weight loss was associated with more physician visits (9.3 compared with 6.0 visits) and with a reduction in the number of antihypertensive medications used ( 0.62 compared with +0.08 medications).

The authors concluded that "the apparent success was achieved by educating the physicians, increasing the frequency of visits, and taking these opportunities to educate the patients (which) involved little extra expense or effort" and that "frequent visiting is important in encouraging weight loss". They also noted that the family medicine residents were "enthusiastic when they recognized the intervention as a potential means of improving their effectiveness".

George L. Blackburn, Comparison of Medically Supervised and Unsupervised Approaches to Weight Loss and Control, 119 Annals of Internal Med. 7.2, 714-718 (Oct. 1, 1993)
<http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/119/7_Part_2/714>.

Medically Supervised Weight Loss Programs:

Far More Effective Than Fad Diets

Considering the number of overweight and obese people in the US - about two-thirds of the population - it might seem obvious that most weight loss programs aren't successful. Still, it's surprising to find out that little or no evidence has been published proving that the most popular commercial weight loss programs work at all.

Studies from medically supervised programs offer better results. These medically supervised plans produced weight losses of about 15% to 25% of body weight during the initial treatment period; those who were followed for a year maintained an average 8% to 9% weight loss. Participants who were tracked further maintained about a 7% loss after 3 years and 5% after 4 years.

Eileen Early, BA, BSN, RN, Weight Loss Programs: Less is More (last modified Feb. 10, 2005)
<http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1031002471.html>.