Real-world Weight Loss Outcomes of Optifast® Total Meal Replacement Program in a Community Clinic

• Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2023-11, Vol.31, p.252-252
• Main Authors: Naidu, Padmaja, Lupas, Daniel, Klas, Alex, Modi, Mihir, Naidu, Rishi, Hamm, Caroline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Obesity; Weight control
• ISSN: 1930-7381; 1930-739X

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the OPTIFAST program (OP), a total meal replacement program, for weight loss in a community-based setting of a medium-sized Canadian city. OPTIFAST is an evidence-based total meal replacement program. As a very-low-calorie diet, it has been shown to be an effective weight loss intervention. This is a study of real-world data examining total weight loss, % weight loss, and change in BMI following 12-weeks of the total OP. Methods: Participants were selected from the only community-based obesity clinic in the city. Participants were selected sequentially if they were adherent >80% of at least 12 weeks of a total OP within November 2019 to June 2022. Clinically relevant variables were collected in a retrospective chart review. Participants were examined for changes in BMI and % change in weight at a 12-14 week follow-up. Weight loss was analyzed both by obesity class and individually. Conclusions: After 12 to 14 weeks of total OP, clinically significant weight loss was achieved. The study demonstrated success in a community setting using a total OP. Similar results to the OPTIWIN study (Ard et al., 2019) was documented; however, the small sample size and retrospective nature of the study pose as potential limitations. Future directions involve increasing database sample size, investigating changes in weight beyond the 12-week program, and comparing the effectiveness of a partial OP with total OP for weight loss and sustainability. Results: A total of 35 participants made up the total OP group. Mean age of participants was 47.1 ± 12.2; 83% were female. Baseline BMI was 44.8 ± 9.7 kg/m2; after 12-14 weeks of total OP, BMI was 38.8 ± 8.6 kg/m2 (net change in BMI is -6.0 ± 2.1 kg/m2). Weight change (%) after 12-14 weeks of total OP was -13.3 ± 3.7%. Preliminary analysis suggests that the extent of weight loss was similar among obesity classes regardless of the use of weight loss medications.