Health-Related Quality of Life in Weight Loss Interventions: Results from the OPTIWIN Trial.

Obesity is highly prevalent and associated with several adverse outcomes including health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL), work productivity, and activity impairment. The objective of this study is to examine group differences in HRQoL and labor-related health outcomes among participants in the OPTIWIN program, which compared the effectiveness of two intensive behavioral weight loss interventions. Participants (n = 273) were randomized to OPTIFAST®(OP) or food-based (FB) dietary interventions for 52 weeks. HRQoL and labor-related health outcomes were measured at baseline, week 26, and week 52, using two questionnaires. At baseline, there were no differences between groups on the Impact of Weight on Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (IWQOL-Lite). At week 26, the OP group had statistically significant differences towards better HRQoL for Physical Function, Self-Esteem, and the total score compared with the FB group. At week 52, the OP group showed better HRQoL in the total score (p = 0.0012) and in all but one domain. Moreover, the adjusted change-from-baseline normalized total score at week 52 was -5.9 points (p = 0.0001). Finally, the mean IWQOL-Lite normalized score showed that HRQoL improves by 0.4442 units (p < 0.0001) per kg lost, and that greater weight reduction was positively associated with better HRQoL. No statistically significant group differences were found with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (General Health) (WPAI-GH) Questionnaire. HRQoL improves with highly intensive, well-structured weight loss interventions. Greater weight loss lead to larger improvements. The lack of negative effect on productivity and activity suggests that these interventions may be compatible with an active work lifestyle.

Differences in treatment response to a total diet replacement intervention versus a food-based intervention: A secondary analysis of the OPTIWIN trial.

OBJECTIVE: For every weight loss treatment, there are usually groups of people who lose less than expected. This study sought to determine if response rates to a total diet replacement (TDR) differed from those of a calorie-restricted, food-based (FB) diet. METHODS: Data from OPTIWIN, a 12-month multicenter trial in adults with a BMI of 30-55 kg/m2, with 26-week weight-loss and weight-maintenance phases, were utilized. Participants (n = 330) were randomized to the OPTIFAST programme (OP) or to a reduced-energy FB diet. Treatment non-responders were defined as those who lost <3% of initial weight at months 6 or 12. RESULTS: There were 103 (76%) responders in the OP compared with 78 (57%) in the FB group at 12 months. The odds of treatment response at 12 months among participants who were non-responders at 3 months was not significantly different between the OP and FB groups (p = 0.64). Race, type 2 diabetes status and previous weight loss attempts were significantly associated with responder status. OP responders had higher meal plan adherence and non-caloric fluid intake compared with FB responders. CONCLUSION: Early treatment response is more likely and better sustained with TDR compared with an FB diet. Individual and treatment level factors appear to influence early treatment response to behavioural interventions for weight reduction.

Effectiveness of a Total Meal Replacement Program (OPTIFAST Program) on Weight Loss: Results from the OPTIWIN Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of the OPTIFAST program (OP), a total meal replacement dietary intervention, compared with a food-based (FB) dietary plan for weight loss. METHODS: Participants with BMI 30 to 55 kg/m2 , age 18 to 70 years old, were randomized to OP or FB dietary and lifestyle interventions for 26 weeks, followed by a weight-maintenance phase. Outcomes were percent change in body weight (%WL) from baseline to weeks 26 and 52, associated changes in body composition (using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), and adverse events. Primary analysis used repeated-measures multivariable linear mixed models to compare outcomes between groups in a modified intention-to-treat fashion (mITT). RESULTS: A total of 273 participants (83% of randomized; 135 OP, 138 FB) made up the mITT population. Mean age was 47.1 ± 11.2 years; 82% were female and 71% non-Hispanic white. Baseline BMI was 38.8 ± 5.9 kg/m2 . At 26 weeks, OP %WL was 12.4% ± 0.6% versus 6.0% ± 0.6% in FB (P < 0.001). At 52 weeks, OP %WL was 10.5% ± 0.6% versus 5.5% ± 0.6% in FB (P < 0.001). Fat mass loss was greater for OP; lean mass loss was proportional to total weight loss. There was no difference in serious adverse event rates between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with an FB approach, OP was more effective with greater sustained weight loss.