Effectiveness of A Four-Week Diet Regimen, Exercise and Psychological Intervention for Weight Loss

Obesity is accompanied by restriction in the quality of life and an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular, orthopedic, and metabolic disorders are among the possible consequences. In the management of obesity, a combination therapy that includes dietary, exercise, and behaviour modules has proven its worth.

To evaluate the effect of weight-associated parameters, circulation associated parameters, glucose metabolism, body composition and life quality changes within a four-week inpatient rehabilitation program.

Fifty-two patients underwent a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation program consisting of nutrition therapy, behavioural therapy and exercise therapy modules at the Eleonoren Clinic of Winterkasten, Germany.

The mean weight reduction of 52 obese patients 40 (76.9%) males, 12 (23.1%) females; mean age 46 years; mean Body Mass Index (BMI) 43,79 kg/m²) achieved was 7.1 kg (from 1.20 kg to 17.50 kg), and the BMI reduction was 2.3 kg/m² (from 0.40 kg/m² to 5.40 kg/m²). The excessive weight loss was highly significant (p<0.001). Weight reduction was accompanied by an improvement in the diabetic metabolic state (lowering of fasting blood-glucose 20 mg/dl, postprandial blood glucose 26 mg/dl, HbA1c 0.27%). In all 73% of the patients suffered from arterial hypertonia. The significant mean decline of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 12.8 mmHg and 6.8 mmHg, respectively. The resting pulse was reduced by an average of 11 beats per minute. The Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA) revealed a significant reduction of body fat content (p<0.001). The subjective impression of impaired life quality (SF-36 questionnaire) improved significantly.

The study clearly shows that the inpatient rehabilitation program at the Eleonoren Clinic was suitable to enhance the physical and mental state of people with obesity. In a two-year follow-up program the patients should take care of a permanent lifestyle change toward an improved dietary, movement and health behaviour.