> "Successful very-low-energy diets (VLEDs) were associated with significantly greater weight-loss maintenance than were successful hypoenergetic balanced diets (HBDs) at all years of follow-up. The percentage of individuals at 4 or 5 y of follow-up for VLEDs and HBDs were 55.4% and 79.7%, respectively. The results for VLEDs and HBDs, respectively, were as follows: weight-loss maintenance, 7.1 kg (95% CI: 6.1, 8.1 kg) and 2.0 (1.5, 2.5) kg; percentage weight-loss maintenance, 29% (25%, 33%) and 17% (13%, 22%); and reduced weight, 6.6% (5.7%, 7.5%) and 2.1% (1.6%, 2.7%)."
That's a remarkable degree of loss to follow-up in the VLED group compared to the HBD group. Without further information, I would take great care in trying to interpret the results of the study - the 20% of VLED participants who did not show up could conceivably widen the confidence intervals, if not change the conclusions.
You are right, and in case you don't have access to it, I posted the paper at http://ge.tt/3d5wVJq2 for further detail. It's a fairly short meta analysis but they do point out its shortcomings.
My point wasn't that VLED are superior to HBD, but that the "VLED necessarily causes rebound to original weight" is a myth. It can work and has worked for many people, provided a behaviour change is performed after the end of the dieting period.
> "Successful very-low-energy diets (VLEDs) were associated with significantly greater weight-loss maintenance than were successful hypoenergetic balanced diets (HBDs) at all years of follow-up. The percentage of individuals at 4 or 5 y of follow-up for VLEDs and HBDs were 55.4% and 79.7%, respectively. The results for VLEDs and HBDs, respectively, were as follows: weight-loss maintenance, 7.1 kg (95% CI: 6.1, 8.1 kg) and 2.0 (1.5, 2.5) kg; percentage weight-loss maintenance, 29% (25%, 33%) and 17% (13%, 22%); and reduced weight, 6.6% (5.7%, 7.5%) and 2.1% (1.6%, 2.7%)."
That's a remarkable degree of loss to follow-up in the VLED group compared to the HBD group. Without further information, I would take great care in trying to interpret the results of the study - the 20% of VLED participants who did not show up could conceivably widen the confidence intervals, if not change the conclusions.