ABSTRACT
Background: Very low calorie diets (VLCDs) have been used to induce a rapid decrease in total body weight. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a VLCD in a group of overweight and obese Chilean women. Material and Methods: Thirty women with a body mass index (BMI) > 27 kg/m2 were enrolled to a 4 weeks intervention with a VLCD (using liquid meal replacement). Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results: Twenty five women (83 percent) completed the total intervention period. Average weight loss was 5.7 ± 1.5 kg (-6.9 percent of the initial weight) corresponding to a 34.7 ± 13.4 percent of the excess of weight. Significant improvements in triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (Low Density Lipoproteins) were observed. Insulin resistance determined by Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), decreased significantly from 3.3 ± 1.8 to 2.0 ± 0.9 (p = 0.003). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Short term use of VLCDs is safe and effective to induce rapid weight loss in Chilean women.