Impact of compliance on weight loss and health profile in a very low energy diet program

Background Although intuitive, little data links program compliance with weight loss and health profile changes in obese Australians. Methods Obese males (n=308) and females (n=734) from one clinic using a very low energy diet intervention were studied over 26 weeks. Physical and health profiles were assessed. Low compliance completed 1-12 weeks, medium 13-20 weeks and high 21-26 weeks. Objective Overall, 52% achieved high compliance (females: 53%, males: 49%). Greater compliance was associated with greater weight loss and health profile changes in both genders. Mean male weight loss approximated 12 kg, 21 kg and 26 kg with low, medium and high compliance; mean female values were 8 kg, 15 kg and 20 kg. Body mass index, waist-hip ratios, and blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose changes were all more marked with high compliance. Discussion Unsurprisingly, high compliance in both genders was consistently associated with more substantial reductions (>15%) of body weight and greater health profile improvements.