Is Nutritional-Behavioral Intervention Effective in the Fight Against Obesity?

Participants achieved a mean weight loss of 10.45 kg during the active treatment phase.

• Mean weight loss was 10.45 ± 7.56 kg across completers.
• Weight loss was associated with significant decreases in both BMI and body fat mass (BFM).
• Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
• The study was retrospective, uncontrolled, and used a completer design based on outpatient medical records from 2018–2024.

Fat-free mass and skeletal muscle mass were only moderately reduced during the intervention.

• Average loss of fat-free mass was 1.72 ± 2.20 kg.
• Average loss of skeletal muscle mass was 1.11 ± 1.36 kg.
• The authors describe lean body mass as being 'preserved to a moderate extent.'
• Measurement was conducted via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Only 23.2% of study completers maintained a weight loss of at least 10% of their baseline body weight after one year.

• Weight maintenance was defined as maintaining ≥10% loss of baseline body weight at the one-year post-intervention follow-up.
• 267 overweight or obese adults completed both the active treatment phase and the one-year follow-up out of 1416 patients initially analysed.
• The low maintenance rate highlights 'the ongoing challenge of weight regain.'
• The study used a completer analysis, meaning only those who finished both phases were included in this outcome.

The intervention consisted of a personalised diet based on a food-exchange system combined with psychodietetic support.

• The dietary component used a food-exchange system tailored to individual patients.
• Psychodietetic support (behavioural intervention) was provided alongside dietary guidance.
• The intervention was delivered in an outpatient setting.
• The study period spanned 2018 to 2024.

The study evaluated the impact of comorbidities on outcomes in addition to body composition changes.

• Evaluation of comorbidity impact was listed as one of the study aims.
• The patient population consisted of overweight or obese adults.
• The retrospective design drew on outpatient medical records.
• Primary endpoints included absolute changes in body weight, BMI, and BFM, as well as maintenance of ≥10% weight loss after one year.

A large proportion of initially analysed patients did not complete both the active treatment phase and the one-year follow-up.

• Of 1416 patients whose records were analysed, only 267 (approximately 18.9%) completed the active treatment phase and one-year follow-up.
• The study used a completer design, so non-completers were excluded from outcome analyses.
• The study was retrospective and uncontrolled, limiting causal inference.
• High attrition is a recognised challenge in long-term obesity intervention studies.