Diet Plans For Morbid Obesity

When you are considered morbidly obese, you are at increased risk for developing a series of life-threatening conditions. Body weight is best assessed by the body mass index. This table determines if you are underweight, healthy, overweight or obese based on height and weight. A determination of obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30. If you've reached a state of morbid obesity, you might think there is no help for you, but even a 10 percent weight reduction can vastly improve your health. Diet intervention, behavioral changes and education can lay the road to a healthier you.

Very Low Calorie Diet

A very low calorie diet is eating 800 calories or less per day. This kind of diet must be supervised by a medical professional because it can be risky and unhealthy. Sometimes this diet consists of meal replacement beverages or bars that are prescribed by your doctor. For others, monitoring intake of calories is done by choosing low calorie, lean proteins. When you are on a very low calorie diet, there is not much room for adequate nutrition. Therefore, a very low calorie diet is not realistic for long-term eating. Generally this diet is done for about 12 weeks, with a weight loss of about three to five pounds per week. A very low calorie diet can lead to fatigue, constipation, nausea and diarrhea.

Low Calorie Diet

According to Duke University, a low calorie diet is the most effective diet for morbidly obese persons trying to lose weight on their own. When on this diet, you will consume between 800 and 1,500 calories per day. You will monitor those calories based on your intake of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Calories should consist of about 650 g of carbohydrates, 68 g of protein and 60 g or less of fat per day.

Healthy Weight Pyramid Eating Plan

The Healthy Weight Pyramid eating plan, from the Mayo Clinic, places an emphasis on eating plant-sourced foods. Carbohydrates are consumed as fruits and vegetables. Proteins consist of items like lentils, legumes and soy. The diet also emphasizes healthy fats, like those from olive and vegetable oils. Intake of dairy and lean meats is limited on this diet. The Healthy Weight Pyramid plan is aimed at making a lifestyle change to regular eating habits. Weight loss on this plan is gradual, at 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Long Term Weight Loss

The very low calorie diet can successfully kick off a life-changing style of eating. A study published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" by J.W. Anderson and colleagues in 1992 followed morbidly obese individuals on a very low calorie diet, and then followed up with them two years later. The initial diet led to an average weight loss of 35.3 kg in 26 weeks. After two years, 48 percent of the weight lost had been maintained by the dieters. This study shows that a very low calorie diet can provide the means for long-term weight loss. However, once you have completed the very low calorie diet, you must maintain healthy eating habits. The low calorie diet or the Healthy Weight Pyramid eating plan are both better suited for the long term.

Considerations

Losing weight should involve a change in lifestyle. Staying sedentary, especially after completing a very low calorie diet, may lead to weight regain. In a study published in "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise" in 2008 by Xuewen Wang and colleagues, physical activity during weight loss was evaluated. This study took 34 overweight or obese women on a low calorie diet and split them into two groups. The first group did treadmill walking while dieting, and the second group did no extra physical activity. The women that did not participate in physical activity had a greater weight regain after 12 months. Maintaining physical activity during weight loss can help prevent weight regain.