Results of the treatment of obesity with a protein-sparing modified fast.

Thirty-six obese adults received a protein-sparing modified fast (PSMF) consisting of 1.5 g of meat protein per kilogram of ideal body weight and meeting vitamin, mineral, and fluid requirements. These studies were conducted as short-term inpatient metabolic studies followed by a program of outpatient obesity treatment. Thirty-one patients were contacted from one to 4 1/2 years from initial assessment. Significant weight loss of greater than 9 kg (20 lb) occurred in more than half the patients, and of greater than 40 lb in one-third of patients over the study period. A PSMF for weight reduction, accompanied by instruction in behaviour modification, nutrition, and exercise for maintenance of weight loss may be helpful in the management of obesity.