Weight loss: Diet plan proven to be three times more effective than NHS option revealed

From giving you the kickstart you need to keeping you on track with your weight loss goals, diet plans can be very beneficial to some people who are trying to lose a significant amount of weight. While the general aim tends to be to reduce the amount of calories consumed, there’s no shortage of different programmes out there. Today, a study from the University of Oxford was published in the journal Obesity, which highlighted the particular benefits of one diet plan, known as The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan (CWP). This is a meal replacement diet, and has been criticised by some due to the amount of calories it can restrict participants by.

And, in a comparison with an NHS nurse-led programme, it seems that it could reap far more rewards.

The report claims that a combination of Total Diet Replacement programmes (TDRs) and some one-to-one support, could lead to better weight loss results than nurse-led care.

What’s more, the study proved that TDRs are a safe and effective way to lose weight, with significant weight loss continuing at least until the one year mark.

Participants in the trial, which was known as DROPLET (Doctor Referral of Overweight People to Low Energy Treatment), lost an average of one and a half stone via CWP – which is now known as the 1:1 Diet.

Meanwhile, those who were referred for nurse-led care lost an average of half a stone.

The research had a population of 278 adults, who had a BMI of more than 30.

The latest findings by the research, led by Dr Seamus Kent, saw an estimate that for every 100,000 people who are referred for TDRs, 50 coronary heart disease events, 75 strokes, 900 cases of type 2 diabetes, and 25 cancers could be avoided, during a period of 25 years.

This is likely to result in people having a greater life expectancy and improved health, and therefore leading to a lower usage of and cost to healthcare services.

Professor Anthony Leeds, Medical Director of Cambridge Weight Plan, said: “The NHS is weighed down by the UK’s ageing and heavier population.

“We need to lighten the load, not just on those seeking to lose a significant amount of weight, but also in regard to the increased care requirements and financial burden that rests on the NHS.

“Proven to be effective and safe with high compliance and low drop-out rates, weight loss programme that include TDR ought to become a regular component in the tool-box of health care practitioners as well as public health officials.”

He continued: “Taken with the recently published DROPLET clinical trial results, Dr Seamus Kent’s paper conclusively shows that weight loss with TDR in this setting (a primary care/commercial collaboration) is cost effective, as well as delivering more weight loss and maintenance than a regular dietary programme.”

Meanwhile, Professor Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health in University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and Chief investigator of the initial DROPLET trial, went on to comment: “Our clinical trial has shown clearly that a programme combining low energy, nutritionally complete products with one-to-one support from trained counsellors helps people to lose weight successfully.

“This approach would represent good value for money for the NHS as a treatment for obesity as it reduces the chances of people developing diabetes and heart disease in the future.”

It’s worth bearing in mind that the study was solely focused on participants who are considered obese.

As such, it may be that the 1:1 Diet suits those who are obese and aiming to reduce their weight.

Express.co.uk has contacted NHS England asking for comment.

READ MORE: Weight loss tips: How to get a fast metabolism – food & drink which could help you slim

source: express.co.uk