Eficacia y seguridad de una dieta muy baja en calorías en un grupo de mujeres chilenas con sobrepeso u obesidad

Resumen

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF A VERY-LOW-CALORIE DIET IN A GROUP OF OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE CHILEAN WOMEN

Background: Very low calorie diets (VLCDs) have been used to induce a rapid decrease in total body weight. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a VLCD in a group of overweight and obese Chilean women. Material and methods: Thirty women with a body mass index (BMI) > 27 kg/m² were enrolled to a 4 weeks intervention with a VLCD (using liquid meal replacement). Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results: Twenty five women (83%) completed the total intervention period. Average weight loss was 5.7 ± 1.5 Kg (-6.9% of the initial weight) corresponding to a 34.7 ± 13.4% of the excess of weight. Significant improvements in triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (Low Density Lipoproteins) were observed. Insulin resistance determined by Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA),  decreased significantly from 3.3 ±1.8 to 2.0 ± 0.9 (p=0.003). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Short term use of VLCDs is safe and effective to induce rapid weight loss in Chilean women.