[Serial studies of the long-term effects of a total-fasting regimen (author's transl)]

The long-term results of total fasting during hospitalisation were evaluated an average of 21 months after the end of the hospital stay in 42 patients treated for obesity between 1971 and 1975. Further weight reduction occurred in 14, while the remainder had regained some weight. Nine of the latter had, in fact, surpassed their prehospitalisation weight. Neither age not sex, social status, time interval since fasting had any influence on the long-term results of total fasting. It is concluded that, in view of the poor correlation between cost and long-term result of such total-fasting regimen, it should be undertaken in this form only exceptionally.