Melchart D, et al. – This study strived to gauge the existence of variations between two lifestyle intervention strategies in terms of weight reduction after 1 year. It was deduced that Individual Health Management [IHM] was superior to usual care [UC] in weight reduction after 1 year. A clinically high relevant risk reduction could be achieved for cardiometabolic diseases, with a mean loss of about 10% of the baseline weight.

Methods

• The eligible candidates included 166 individuals with a body mass index of 28-35 kg/m², at seven study centers.
• Among these, 109 were randomly allocated to the intervention group (comprehensive lifestyle modification program: Web-based Individual Health Management [IHM]) with 3-month reduction phase plus 9-month maintenance phase.
• 57 enrolees were allocated to the control group (written information with advice for healthy food habits: Usual care [UC]).
• An estimation was performed of the body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, laboratory findings, and bioimpedance analysis at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, which determined the body composition.
• The primary outcome parameter was body weight at month 12 compared to baseline.

Results

• In terms of baseline status, no statistically notable variations were detected between the groups.
• Based on the intent-to-treat population, body weight illustrated a mean decrease of 8.7 kg (SD 6.1) in the intervention group (IHM) and 4.2 kg (SD 5) in the control group (UC) at month 12.
• This variation (P<0.001) was ascertained by several sensitivity analyses.
• Body mass index, waist circumference, high-density lipid cholesterol, body fat, and the ratio of fat and body cell mass improved to a considerably higher degree in the IHM group.