Weight Regain After Total Meal Replacement Very Low-Calorie Diet Program – With and Without Anti-Obesity Medications

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Background

Very low-calorie diets (VLCDs) using total meal replacement (TMR) provide significant short-term weight loss. Additionally, anti-obesity medications (AOMs) have been explored as a way to enhance long-term weight maintenance when combined with VLCDs.

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Study Aim

This study examined how adjuvant AOMs impact weight loss and weight regain within a structured lifestyle program.

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Methods

📌 Study Type: Retrospective analysis of patients with obesity in VLCD/TMR programs, specifically the OPTIFAST program.

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Results

📊 Data from 206 patients (68% women, mean age: 52.4 years, BMI: 41.7 kg/m²).

• 139 patients did not receive AOMs (AOM-)
• 67 patients received AOMs (AOM+)

Weight Loss & Regain

📉 Total Weight Loss (TWL%):

• 6 months: −17.87% ± 7.02%
• 18 months: −12.10% ± 11.56%

📌 Key Finding:
✅ No significant difference in 6-month weight loss between the AOM+ and AOM- groups.
✅ AOM+ group had significantly lower weight regain:

• Weight regain (kg): 3.29 ± 10.19 vs. 7.61 ± 11.96 (p = 0.006)
• Weight regain percentage (WR%): 31.5% ± 68.7 vs. 52.16% ± 64.4 (p = 0.04)

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Conclusion

📢 Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) combined with VLCD/TMR appear to be effective strategies for long-term weight management in individuals with obesity. The study highlights the potential benefit of AOMs in reducing weight regain after significant weight loss.

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