[Late results after zero calorie diet therapy in adiposity]

Patients treated for obesity by total starvation were followed up after a period ranging from 7 to 60 months. Starvation treatment had been carried out 12 times in women and 7 times in men. Weight regain was less than 33% of weight loss in 5 women and 5 men and the regain was 40% in 1 man. Weight increase was higher than 50% of weight loss in 7 women and 1 man. The weight of one of these women exceeded the prestarvation weight. In view of these poor long-term results, therapeutic starvation should be carried out only in selected cases. Our experience indicates a better prognosis for men than for women. There is some indication that long-term results of therapeutic starvation are more favorable in patients with previous myocardial infarction or with somatic conditions which may improve after weight reduction.