Health & wellbeing
2016
The experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome on a very low-calorie diet.
Love JG, McKenzie JS, Nikokavoura EA, Broom J, Rolland C, Johnston KL (2016). International Journal of Women’s Health, 8:299-310.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-26% of reproductive-age women in the UK and accounts for up to 75% of women attending fertility clinics due to anovulation. The first-line treatment options for overweight/obese women with PCOS are diet and lifestyle interventions. A qualitative study of 10 obese women with PCOS who had used the LighterLife Total VLCD with behavioural-change therapy and group support found that most women reported greater weight loss and weight management success using LighterLife when compared with other diets. Furthermore, all the women nominated LighterLife as their model weight-loss intervention.
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One-week adherence to a very low calorie diet (VLCD) increases heart rate variability in obese men and women.
Pinto AM, Johnston KL, Fitzpatrick F, White A, Allan R, Hall WL (2016). Obesity Reviews, 17(suppl 2):36.
Heart-rate variability reflects autonomic nervous system function. Obesity is associated with low heart-rate variability, characterised by sympathetic over-activity and reduced parasympathetic modulation. This pilot study compared the one-week effects of the LighterLife VLCD (600 kcal/day) and a moderate low-calorie diet (500kcal deficit/day) on heart-rate variability in 31 men and women. Mean weight loss was 2.1kg following VLCD compared to 0.8kg on the moderate low-calorie diet, and mean 24 hour high frequency power (representing parasympathetic modulation) was significantly increased following VLCD compared to an overall decrease following the moderate low-calorie diet. The authors suggest that adherence to a 1-week VLCD may have rapid effects in improving cardiac autonomic function.
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2015 Johnston Prevalence of comorbidities
2015
The prevalence of co-morbidities in obese individuals embarking on a VLCD weight-loss programme at LighterLife.
Johnston KL, Dyson L, Cox J, Hewlett B, Capehorn M (2015). Poster presented at the 22nd European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 8(suppl 1):205
There are strict rules within the UK on marketing communications for products which facilitate weight control, with the CAP code stating that ‘Obesity is frequently associated with a medical condition and a treatment for it must not be advertised to the public unless it is to be used under suitably qualified supervision’. As such, an effective weight-loss service cannot currently reference obesity in its advertising unless its usage is directly supervised by a medical professional. Analysis of client records showed that 86.2% of all obese individuals who sought to join the LighterLife Total VLCD weight-loss programme in 2014 presented with no obesity-related co-morbidities and did not require any medical supervision. This figure is significantly lower than that suggested by CAP and should be taken into consideration when formulating advertising rules to avoid basing guidelines on inaccurate generalisations.
2015 Johnston Prevalence of comorbidities
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Weight loss for women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome following a very low-calorie diet in a community-based setting with trained facilitators for 12 weeks.
Nikokavoura EA, Johnston KL, Broom J, Wrieden WL, Rolland C (2015). Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 8, 495-503.
For women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), weight loss is known to be challenging, due to associated metabolic issues and/or the emotional distress that accompanies PCOS and predisposes towards cravings and emotional eating. This large retrospective analysis suggests that the LighterLife Total VLCD could be an effective way for women with PCOS to lose weight. The study found that total weight loss and percentage weight loss for 508 overweight/obese women with PCOS who completed 12 weeks on the VLCD, including group behaviour-change sessions, did not differ significantly from that of 508 non-PCOS women (matched for age/BMI).
2015 Nikokavoura Weight loss for women
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A comparison of the nutrient composition of 11 different commercially available formula-based VLCD foods for use as total dietary replacement during weight loss.
Clarizio CA, Cox CA, Cox J, Hewlett B, Johnston KL (2015). Poster presented at the 22nd European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 8(suppl 1):75
Provision of adequate nutrition whilst on a VLCD is vital to ensure good health during weight loss. A comparison of nutritional composition data for 11 commercial UK VLCDs available during October/November 2014, including the LighterLife Total VLCD, found that only the LighterLife VLCD complied fully with the minimum daily requirements as described in the Codex Standard 203-1995 For Formula Foods For Use In Very Low Energy Diets For Weight Reduction.
2015 Clarizio comparison of VLCDs
https://doi.org/10.1159/000382140
2014
Women of Asian origin have an increased prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which presents at a younger age and lower weight than their Caucasian counterparts.
Johnston K, Nikokavoura E, Broom I, Wrieden W, Love J, Rolland C (2014). Poster presented at the 12th International Congress on Obesity. Obesity Reviews, 15 (suppl 2):75.
Certain ethnic minority groups are recognised as being at greater risk of developing insulin resistance, as are obese women with PCOS. The prevalence of PCOS in these at-risk ethnic groups embarking on weight-loss therapy has not been adequately investigated. Data obtained from the LighterLife UK database for women who had embarked on the LighterLife Total VLCD for 12 weeks showed a greater prevalence of PCOS in the Asian and African ethnic groups respectively. Asian women with PCOS were younger than Caucasian women and weighed less than both African and Caucasian women respectively. The increased prevalence of PCOS in the Asian population mirrors their known increased risk of developing insulin resistance and is likely to be improved after embarking on a VLCD.
295 obese women with hypothyroidism achieve the same weight loss as those without hypothyroidism by following the formula-based very low calorie diet (VLCD) LighterLife Total for 12 weeks.
Johnston KL, Haynes S, Dyson L, Capehorn M, Broom J, Cox J, Hewlett B (2014). Poster presented at the 21st European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 7(suppl 1):95.
For obese women with hypothyroidism, there are both real and perceived additional barriers in achieving weight loss, when compared with women without this condition. A comparison of 295 women with hypothyroidism who completed 12 weeks on the LighterLife Total VLCD with group-based behaviour-therapy and 295 age/BMI-matched 12-week completers without hypothyroidism, found that those receiving medication for hypothyroidism can achieve a similar significant weight reduction to those women without a diagnosed thyroid abnormality.
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Overweight women with hypothyroidism achieve the same weight loss as those without hypothyroidism by following the low calorie diet LighterLife Lite for 12 weeks.
Johnston KL, Haynes S, Dyson L, Capehorn M, Broom J, Cox J, Hewlett B (2014). Poster presented at the 21st European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 7(suppl 1):93
Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the UK, affecting 15 in every 1000 women. For overweight women with hypothyroidism there are both real and perceived additional barriers in achieving weight loss, when compared with women without this condition. A comparison of 20 women with hypothyroidism who completed 12 weeks on the LighterLife Lite low-calorie diet and 20 12-week completers without hypothyroidism (matched for age and BMI) found that those receiving medication for hypothyroidism can achieve a similar statistically significant weight reduction to those women without a diagnosed thyroid abnormality.
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2013
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) achieve the same weight loss as women without PCOS after 12 weeks of a very low calorie diet (VLCD) (2013).
Nikokavoura E, Lula S, Jenner C, Dyson L, Broom I, Rolland C. Poster presented at the 20th European Congress on Obesity: Obesity Facts, 6(Suppl 1): 105.
There is new evidence proving that the LighterLife Total very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) is an effective method of weight loss for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for whom weight loss is known to be challenging. A recent study examining data on 137 women with PCOS, compared with 137 women without PCOS – and all of whom completed 12 weeks on LighterLife Total – showed that weight loss did not differ significantly between the two groups. So, contrary to previous observations, women with PCOS lose the same amount of weight, and at the same rate, as non-PCOS women, meaning that the LighterLife Total VLCD can be recommended as an effective alternative to conventional diets for women with PCOS.
Weight loss for individuals with type 2 diabetes following a very-low-calorie diet in a community-based setting with trained facilitators for 12 weeks.
Rolland C, Lula SI, Jenner CL, Dyson L, Macdonald I, Johnston KL, Broom I (2013). Clinical Obesity, 3(5):150-157.
An analysis of weight-loss data from 300 people with type 2 diabetes compared with weight-matched clients without type 2 diabetes – and all of whom completed 12 weeks on LighterLife Total – showed that the amount of weight loss in the type 2 diabetes group was more than 90% of that in the non-type 2 diabetes group. This is an outcome unheard of with any other conventional diet, which usually results in just 50% as much weight being lost. This is a highly clinically significant documented improvement, which is made possible solely through the use of a VLCD.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cob.12029/abstract
The effect of very low-calorie diets on renal and hepatic outcomes: a systematic review.
Rolland C, Mavroeidi A, Johnston K, Broom J (2013). Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 393-401
‘Very low-calorie diets (VLCDs) are an effective means by which to induce clinically significant weight loss. However, their acceptance by health care practitioners and the public is generally lower than that for other nonsurgical weight loss methods. Whilst there is currently little evidence to suggest they have any detrimental effect on hepatic and renal health, data assessing these factors remain limited. We carried out a systematic review of the literature on randomized controlled trials that had a VLCD component and that reported outcomes for hepatic and renal health, published between January 1980 and December 2012. Cochrane criteria were followed, and eight out of 196 potential articles met the inclusion criteria. All eight studies reported significant weight loss following the VLCD. Changes in hepatic and renal outcomes were variable but generally led to either no change or improvements in either of these.’
2012
A comparison of weight-loss outcomes in Black and Caucasian women following a very-low-calorie diet (VCD).
Rolland C, Jenner C, Lula S, Dyson L, Broom I (2012).
Poster presented at the 19th European Congress on Obesity.
Obesity Reviews, 5(suppl 1):94.
‘Although both groups lost significant amounts of weight, these results suggest that losing weight may be more difficult for black women… Similar cardiovascular risk reduction benefits are, however, inferred from the comparable waist circumference reductions.’
Comparison of weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes using a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) approach.
Hallam CL, Lula SI, Broom J, Mullins G, Cook D, Haslam D, Cox JSA, Hewlett B (2012). Poster presented at 19th European Congress on Obesity.
Obesity Reviews, 5(suppl 1):219.
‘In a weight-loss-resistant cohort, diabetic and non-diabetic patients following the LighterLife Total VLCD and TCBT behaviour-change programme achieved weight loss by non-surgical means, commensurate with the reversal of type 2 diabetes.’
Weight loss commensurate with reversal of type 2 diabetes using a VLCD approach.
Hallam CL, Broom J, Mullins G, Cox JSA, Hewlett B (2012).
Appetite, 58(3):1176.
Achieving significant weight loss by standard dietary measures in type 2 diabetes is difficult – usually only 50% of the weight loss expected from those without diabetes. 355 patients with type 2 diabetes completed 12 weeks on the LighterLife Total plan and achieved a mean weight loss of 18.5kg (2st 13lb) and a reductions in BMI of 6.6 and in start weight of 16%.
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2011
The importance of robust screening for suitability in those wishing to participate in a VLCD.
Hallam C et al (2011). Poster presented at the 18th European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Reviews, 12(Suppl 1):228
‘The majority of individuals are medically suitable for a VLCD.’
Effect of weight loss on adipokine levels in obese patients.
Rolland C, Hession M, Broom I (2011). Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 4:315-323.
‘A significant weight loss of 23.8% of baseline weight was observed using a very-low-calorie diet and resulted in significant improvements in circulating levels of leptin, PAI-1 and adiponectin, which are likely to be due to the weight loss and not the macronutrient intake.’
Weight loss, health risk and co-morbidity improvements achieved in 12 weeks by 103 obese Asian vs 103 Caucasian patients on the LighterLife VLCD.
Hallam C, Mullins G, Wiggins J, Broom J, Cox JSA, Hewlett B (2011). Heart UK 25th Annual Conference, University of Warwick.
Atherosclerosis, October, 218 (2):e4.
‘Both groups achieved a body-weight reduction on VLCD well in excess of that known to reduce weight-related co-morbidity risk, with the Asian group’s weight loss appearing to more selectively reduce visceral adiposity and therefore have the greatest effect on cardiovascular disease risk.’
2009
Effects of a low-carbohydrate and a very-low-calorie diet on overall quality of life.
Rolland C, Hession M, Murray S, Wise A, Broom J (2009). Poster presented at 17th European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 2(suppl 2):230.
‘There were clear associations between improving weight and overall quality of life in LighterLife. The poor association in PSFM [protein sparing modified fast] was probably due to the limited weight loss and lack of CBT [cognitive behavioural therapy].’
<link through to pdf 2009c ECO>
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Effects of a low-carbohydrate and a very-low-calorie diet on hepatic and renal function.
Rolland C, Hession M, Murray S, Salsbury J, Wise A, Broom J (2009). Poster presented at 17th European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 2(suppl 2):230.
‘The results tend to support improvements in renal function and hepatic function using LighterLife.’
<link through to pdf 2009b ECO>
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Reduction in mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure following 12 weeks on the LighterLife Programme for a cohort of patients n=200.
Salsbury J et al (2009). Poster presented at 17th European Congress on Obesity.Obesity Facts, 2(suppl 2):243.
‘Hypertension is a known cardiovascular risk factor, and was originally considered as being “essential”. However, it is in fact secondary to obesity. A 4.5kg weight gain increases the risk of developing hypertension by 20%. Systolic/diastolic blood pressures reduced significantly following 12 weeks on the LighterLife Programme, with a 22.5kg mean weight reduction.’
<link through to pdf 2009 ECO page 3>
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Reduction in waist circumference following 12 weeks on the LighterLife Programme for a cohort of patients n=180.
Salsbury J et al (2009).Poster presented at 17th European Congress on Obesity.Obesity Facts, 2(suppl 2):244.
‘Waist circumference measurement is gaining popularity as an indicator for cardiovascular risk and type 2 diabetes. It is a good predictor of abdominal fat, which is affiliated with dyslipidaemia, insulin intolerance and other risk factors. Significant waist reduction from baseline in obese patients following the LighterLife Programme was achieved, and the risk of co-morbidity development is therefore clinically considered to be reduced.’
<link through to pdf 2009 ECO page 4>
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2008
LighterLife clients’ self-reported ratings of general health and wellbeing: frequency of tiredness.
Mullins G et al (2008). Poster presented at 16th European Congress on Obesity.
International Journal of Obesity, 32(suppl 1):179.
‘Patients who lost weight with the LighterLife Programme experienced rapid reductions in their perceived levels of tiredness. At week 2… 52% of patients reported frequent or constant tiredness. After just 11 weeks on the programme and an average weight loss of 15kg, this fell to just 9%. Nearly three times as many patients reported never feeling tired at week 13, compared with those at week 2.’
<link through to pdf 2008 ECO page 1>
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LighterLife patients’ self-reported ratings of general health and wellbeing: ease of climbing stairs.
Mullins G et al (2008). Poster presented at 16th European Congress on Obesity.
International Journal of Obesity, 32(suppl 1):179.
‘Patients who lost weight with the LighterLife Programme rapidly improved their perceived ability to climb the stairs without difficulty. At week 2… 17% of patients reported difficulty in climbing stairs. After just 11 weeks on the programme and an average weight loss of 15kg, this fell to just 2%. The percentage of patients who found climbing stairs “difficult” reduced eight-fold by week 13 of the programme.’
<link through to pdf 2008 ECO page 2>
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LighterLife patients’ self-reported ratings of general health and wellbeing: ease of walking one mile.
Mullins G et al (2008). Poster presented at 16th European Congress on Obesity. International Journal of Obesity, 32(suppl 1):178.
‘Patients who lost weight with the LighterLife Programme quickly improved their perceived ease of walking one mile. At week 2… 18% of patients reported that walking one mile was “difficult”. After just 11 weeks on the programme and an average weight loss of 15kg, this fell to 12%. At week 2 of the programme, 29% of patients reported walking one mile as “very easy”. After just 11 weeks on the programme and an average weight loss of 15kg, this rose to 54%. The percentage of patients reporting that walking one mile was “difficult” or “not manageable” at week 13 compared to week 2 fell by a third.’
<link through to pdf 2008 ECO page 3>
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Comparison of kidney and liver changes after 3 months of a low carbohydrate vs a very-low-calorie diet.
Hession M, Rolland C, John O, Murray S, Wise A, Broom J (2008). Poster presented at the 16th European Congress on Obesity. International Journal of Obesity, 32(suppl 1):94.
‘Although there were differences for urea ad albumin 3 months post-randomisation between the [LighterLife VLCD and the protein-sparing modified fast] diets, there were no differences found for all other analytes. This may indicate that neither diet causes adverse effects on liver and kidney function.’
A randomised trial of a low-carbohydrate vs a very low calorie diet.
Rolland C, Hession M, John O, Murray S, Wise A, Broom J (2008). Poster presented at the European Congress on Obesity, Geneva. International Journal of Obesity, 32(suppl 1):106.
‘Patients on LL [LighterLife VLCD] had a significant improvement in blood pressure, fasting glucose and HbA1 between randomisation and three months… The LighterLife diet was associated with greater improvements in some risk factors for cardiovascular disease.’
