Ready-to-eat cereal products as meal replacements for weight loss

To test the effectiveness of three commercially available partial meal replacement products on weight-loss outcomes.

In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 164 eligible overweight and obese adults (ages 18-65 years; body mass index >/=25 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned to a Control group (CN) or to one of three intervention groups, including 'Cereal Substitution plus Nutrient Bar' (CB), 'Cereal and Waffle Substitution plus Nutrient Bar' (CWB), and 'Cereal Substitution, no Nutrient Bar' (CR).

Compared with the CN group, the CB, CWB, and CR groups evidenced significantly greater reductions in weight, body mass index, waist, hip, and thigh measurements, and the CB and CR groups evidenced significantly greater reductions in percentage body fat. Despite strong adherence (88%) and retention (80%), the groups did not differ in cardiovascular risk profile, mood, or satiety.

A variety of ready-to-eat cereal products may be safely and effectively used as meal replacements in weight-loss programs.