TOPLINE:
METHODOLOGY:
- Researchers conducted a 52-week randomized clinical trial at two pediatric centers in Australia that involved 141 adolescents aged 13-17 years with obesity and at least one associated complication.
- Participants were divided into two groups: IER and CER, with three phases: Very low-energy diet (weeks 0-4), intensive intervention (weeks 5-16), and continued intervention/maintenance (weeks 17-52).
- Interventions included a very low-energy diet of 3350 kJ/d (800 kcal/d) for the first 4 weeks, followed by either IER intervention (2500-2950 kJ [600-700 kcal 3 days/wk]) or a daily CER intervention (6000-8000 kJ/d based on age; 1430-1670 kcal/d for teens aged 13-14 years and 1670-1900 kcal/d for teens aged 15-17 years).
- Participants were provided with multivitamins and met with dietitians regularly, with additional support via telephone, text message, or email.
TAKEAWAY:
- Teens in both the IER and CER groups showed a 0.28 reduction in BMI z-scores at 52 weeks with no significant differences between the two.
- The researchers observed no differences in body composition or cardiometabolic outcomes between the IER and CER groups.
- The occurrence of insulin resistance was reduced in both groups at week 16, but this effect was maintained only in the CER group at week 52.
- The study found no significant differences in the occurrence of dyslipidemia or impaired hepatic function between the IER and CER groups.
IN PRACTICE:
“These findings suggest that for adolescents with obesity-associated complications, IER can be incorporated into a behavioral weight management program, providing an option in addition to CER and offering participants more choice,” the authors of the study wrote.
SOURCE:
The study was led by Natalie B. Lister, PhD, of the University of Sydney in Australia and was published online in JAMA Pediatrics.
LIMITATIONS:
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns limited the sample size. Some dietitian visits were conducted via telehealth.
DISCLOSURES:
Dr. Lister received grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. A coauthor, Louise A. Baur, MBBS, PhD, received speakers’ fees from Novo Nordisk and served as a member of the Eli Lilly Advisory Committee.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.