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. 2005 Jan 24;2005(1):CD004096. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004096.pub2
Study Weight Glycemic control Lipids Blood pressure
Vargas 1994 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 12 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐2.7 (0.9) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.5 (0.9) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐2.2 (1.3)      
Rissanen 1999 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 12 weeks 1. % of weight loss 
 Delta I (SE): ‐7.3 (1.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐2.4 (1.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐4.9 (1.5)      
Gokcel 2001 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 26 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐9.6 (1.4) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.9 (0.5) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐10.5 (1.5) 
 2. BMI (kg/m2) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐3.9 (0.5) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.4 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐4.3 (0.6) 
 3. % of weight loss 
 Delta I (SE): ‐10.1 (1.4) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.9 (0.6) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐11.0(1.5) 1. GHb (%) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐2.7 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.5 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐2.2 (0.1) 
 2. Fasting blood sugar (mml/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐6.9 (0.5) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.9 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐6.1 (0.5) 1. Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.7 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.5 (0.2) 
 2. LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.5 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.3 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.2 (0.2) 
 3. HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.0 (0.4) 
 Delta C (SE): 0 (0.0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.0 (0.4) 
 4. Triglycerides (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.5 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): 0 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.5 (0.2)  
Finer 2000 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 12 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐2.4 (0.3) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.1 (0.3) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐2.3 (0.4) 
 2. BMI (kg/m2) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.9 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.1 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.8 (0.2) 
 3. % of weight loss 
 Delta I (SE): ‐2.8 (0.4) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.1 (0.3) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐2.7 (0.5) 1. GHb (%) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.3 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): 0 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.3 (0.2)   1. SBP 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.2 (0.5) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.1 (0.4) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.1 (0.6)
Fujioka 2000 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 24 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐3.7 (1.2) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.4 (1.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐3.3 (1.7) 
 2. BMI (kg/m2) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐1.3 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐1.1 (0.2) 
 3. % of weight loss 
 Delta I (SE): ‐3.8 (1.2) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.5 (1.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐3.3 (1.7) 1. GHb (%) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.3 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.1 (0.2) 
 2. Fasting blood sugar (mml/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.6 (0.3) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.4 (0.3) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.2 (0.4) 1. Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.0 (0.1) 
 2. LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.2 (0.1) 
 3. HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 4. Triglycerides (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.3 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.5 (0.2) 1. SBP 
 Delta I (SE): 3.9 (1.6) 
 Delta C (SE): 2.4 (1.8) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 1.5 (2.4) 
 2. DBP 
 Delta I (SE): 2.6 (1.1) 
 Delta C (SE): 1.4 (1.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 1.2 (1.6)
Serrano‐Rios 2002 
 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 24 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐4.5 (0.5) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐1.7 (0.5) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐2.8 (0.7) 
 2. BMI (kg/m2) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐1.9 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.6 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐1.3 (0.3) 
 3. % of weight loss 
 Delta I (SE): ‐4.9 (0.5) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐1.8 (0.5) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐3.1 (0.8) 1. GHb (%) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.8 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.7 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.1 (0.3) 
 2. Fasting blood sugar (mml/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.8 (0.3) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.3 (0.4) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.5 (0.5) 1. Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): 0 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.1 (0.1) 
 2. LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): 0 (0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.1 (0.1) 
 3. HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0) 
 Delta C (SE): 0 (0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.1 (0) 
 4. Triglycerides (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0 (0.5) 1. SBP 
 Delta I (SE): ‐1.1 (0.3) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.5 (0.3) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐1.6 (0.5)
Kaukua 2004 
 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 52 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐7.1 (1.0) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐2.6 (1.0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐4.5 (1.4) 
 2. % of weight loss 
 Delta I (SE): ‐7.3 (1.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐2.4 (1.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐4.9 (1.5)     1. SBP 
 Delta I (SE): 4.1 (1.4) 
 Delta C (SE): 3.6 (1.4) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.5 (2.0) 
 2. DBP 
 Delta I (SE): 1.7 (0.7) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.7) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 1.9 (1.0)
McNulty 2003 
 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 52 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐8.0 (0.9) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.5) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐7.8 (1.0) 
 2. BMI (kg/m2) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐2.9 (0.7) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.3 (0.7) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐2.6 (0.3) 1. GHb (%) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.3 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.1 (0.3) 
 2. Fasting blood sugar (mml/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.1 (0.3) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.2 (0.5) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.3 (0.4) 1. Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.2 (0.1) 
 2. LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.1 (0.1) 
 3. HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 Delta C (SE): 0 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 4. Triglycerides (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.2 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.3 (0.2) 1. SBP 
 Delta I (SE): ‐1.5 (2.0) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2(2.0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐1.3 (1.3) 
 2. DBP 
 Delta I (SE): 0.4 (1.0) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.5 (1.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.1 (1.8)
Redmon 2003 
 Study design: RCT 
 Follow‐up interval: 52 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐7.3 (1.3) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.8 (0.9) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐6.5 (1.6) 
 2. BMI (kg/m2) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐2.6 (0.5) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.3 (0.3) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐2.3 (0.6) 1. GHb (%) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.6 (0.3) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.0 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.6 (0.4) 
 2. Fasting blood sugar (mml/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.7 (0.5) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.6 (0.5) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.1 (0.7) 1. Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.4 (0.2) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.4 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.0 (0.3) 
 2. LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.3 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.3 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.0 (0.2) 
 3. HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.0(0.0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 4. Triglycerides (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.5 (0.3) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.1 (0.2) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.6 (0.3) 1. SBP 
 Delta I (SE): ‐6.0 (3.0) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐6.0(2.0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.0 (3.6) 
 2. DBP 
 Delta I (SE): ‐3.0 (1.0) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐6.0 (2.0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 3.0 (2.2)
Tankova 2003Study design: RCTFollow‐up interval: 13 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐6.5 (0.9) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐2.7 (0.9) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐3.8 (1.3) 
 2. % of weight loss 
 Delta I (SE): ‐6.8 (0.7) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐2.9 (0.7) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐3.9 (1.0) 
 3. Waist circumference (cm) 
 Delta I (SE) ‐8.4 (1.0) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐1.9 (1.3) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐6.5 (1.7) 1. GHb (%) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.3 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.2 (0.1) 1. Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.4 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.2 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.2 (0.2) 
 2. LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.5 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): ‐0.4 (0.2) 
 3. HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 Delta C (SE): 0.0(0.0) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.1 (0.0) 
 4. Triglycerides (mmol/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta C (SE): ‐0.1 (0.1) 
 Delta (I‐C) (SE): 0.0 (0.1)  
Pooled effects (Full Text) 
 Outcomes 
 S=Number of studies 
 N=Number of participants 
 pooled effects (95% CI) 1. Weight loss (kg) 
 S=8 
 N=845 
 ‐5.1 [‐7.0, ‐3.2] 
 2. Percent weight loss 
 S=3 
 N=426 
 ‐4.0 [‐5.5, ‐2.6] 
 3. % participants with weight loss >5% 
 S=2 
 N=204 
 21.2 [12.5, 29.8] 
 4. BMI kg/m2) 
 S=6 
 N=517 
 ‐1.9 [‐2.6, ‐1.1] 
 5. Waist circumference (cm) 
 S=5 
 N=475 
 ‐4.7 [‐7.4, ‐2.0] 1. GHb (%) 
 S=7 
 N=612 
 ‐0.5 [‐1.3, 0.2] 
 2. Fasting glucose (mmol/L) 
 S=5 
 N=434 
 ‐1.4 [‐3.7, 1.0] 1. Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 S=6 
 N=529 
 ‐0.1 [‐0.4, 0.2] 
 2. LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 S=5 
 N=529 
 ‐0.1 [‐0.3, 0.2] 
 3. HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 S=5 
 N=419 
 0.1 [0.0, 0.1] 
 4. Triglycerides (mmol/L) 
 S=6 
 N=529 
 ‐0.3 [‐0.5, 0.0] 1. SBP (mmHg) 
 S=6 
 N=673 
 ‐0.8 [‐1.7, ‐0.0] 
 2. DBP (mmHg) 
 S=4 
 N=480 
 1.4 [0.1, 2.8]
Pooled effects (Full Text+Abstract) 
 Outcomes 
 S=Number of studies 
 N=Number of participants 
 pooled effects (95% CI) 
 (Full Text+Abstract) 1. Weight loss (kg) 
 S=9 
 N=863 
 ‐4.8 [‐6.5, ‐3.0] 
 2. Percent weight loss 
 S=4 
 N=662 
 ‐4.2 [‐5.5, ‐2.9] 
 3. % participants with weight loss >5% 
 S=3 
 N=440 
 25.9 [13.3, 38.5] 
 4. BMI kg/m2) 
 S=6 
 N=517 
 ‐1.9 [‐2.6, ‐1.1] 
 5. Waist circumference (cm) 
 S=5 
 N=475 
 ‐4.7 [‐7.4, ‐2.0] 1. GHb (%) 
 S=7 
 N=612 
 ‐0.5 [‐1.3, 0.2] 
 2. Fasting glucose (mmol/L) 
 S=5 
 N=434 
 ‐1.4 [‐3.7, 1.0] 1. Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 S=6 
 N=529 
 ‐0.1 [‐0.4, 0.2] 
 2. LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 S=5 
 N=529 
 ‐0.1 [‐0.3, 0.2] 
 3. HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 
 S=5 
 N=419 
 0.1 [0.0, 0.1] 
 4. Triglycerides (mmol/L) 
 S=6 
 N=529 
 ‐0.3 [‐0.5, ‐0.0] 1. SBP (mmHg) 
 S=6 
 N=673 
 ‐0.8 [‐1.7, 0.0] 
 2. DBP (mmHg) 
 S=4 
 N=480 
 1.4 [0.1, 2.8]
Sircar 2001 
 Study design: pre vs post 
 Follow‐up interval: 12 weeks 1. Weight change (kg) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐4.2 (1.5) 
 2. BMI (kg/m2) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐1.6 (0.6) 1. GHb (%) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.5 (0.2) 
 2. Fasting blood sugar (mml/L) 
 Delta I (SE): ‐0.2 (0.5)