Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective
therapy to induce
weight loss in morbidly obese patients. Objective. This controlled, clinical trial with a two-year intervention was aimed at comparing the efficacy of two nonsurgical approaches versus
bariatric surgery, on
body weight changes and metabolic parameters in morbidly obese patients. Methods. Patients were randomized to an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) (n = 60) or Conventional
Obesity Therapy (COT) (n = 46). The ILI group received behavioral
therapy and nutritional counseling. The COT group received standard medical treatment. They were compared with a third group, Surgical
Obesity Group (SOG) (n = 37). Results. Patients who received ILI had a greater percentage of
weight loss than patients receiving COT (-11.3% versus -1.6%; p < 0.0044). Interestingly 31.4% of patients included in the ILI group were no longer morbidly obese after just six months of intervention, increasing to 44.4% after 24 months of intervention. The percentage
weight loss in SOG was -29.6% after that same period of time. Conclusions. ILI was associated with significant
weight loss when compared to COT, in a group of patients with
obesity. An ILI approach could be an alternative
therapy to patients with
obesity, who are not candidates to undergo
bariatric surgery. This trial is registered with EudraCT 2009-013737-24.