Lifestyle interventions for weight loss in adults with severe obesity: a systematic review

with comorbidity) and interventions with a minimal duration of 12 weeks that were multi-component combinations of diet, exercise and behavioural therapy. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias criteria. Meta-analysis was not possible because of methodological heterogeneity. Seventeen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Weight change in kilograms of participants from baseline to follow-up was reported for 14 studies. Participants receiving the lifestyle intervention had a greater decrease in weight than participants in the control group for all studies (1.0-11.5 kg). Lifestyle interventions varied greatly between the studies. Overall lifestyle interventions with combined diet and exercise components achieved the greatest weight loss. Lifestyle interventions for weight loss in adults with severe obesity were found to result in increased weight loss when compared to minimal or standard care, especially those with combined diet and exercise components.