Lifestyle Modification Group for Lymphedema and Obesity Results in Significant Health Outcomes

This study investigated whether a lifestyle modification program that encouraged a ketogenic diet (KD) for participants with lymphedema and obesity would reduce weight and limb volume and improve quality of life. A total of 12 participants with lymphedema and obesity (mean body mass index = 38.38; SD = 7.02) were enrolled in a lifestyle modification group. The timespan from baseline data collection to 30-day follow-up was 18 weeks. Retention rate was 83.3%. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvement in most outcome measures. Mean weight loss was 5.18 kg-F(4, 36) = 11.17; P < .001-or 4.8% of mean baseline weight. The average limb volume reduction was 698.9 ml-F(4, 36) = 9.4; P < .001-and was positively correlated with weight loss (r = 0.8; P = .005). There appeared to be a tendency for participants who used a KD (n = 6) to demonstrate superior results in most outcome measures compared with those who did not use the diet (n = 4), although the sample size of the 2 groups was too small to report definitive results. This lifestyle modification program provided insight into the possible value of a KD for obesity and lymphedema management.