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Purpose Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by a complex variable clinical presentation with comorbidities. A multidisciplinary residential program (MRP) represents one of the best options for treating obesity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 8-week MRP on weight loss, body composition assessed by DXA, and metabolic blood parameters between entry (T0) and discharge (T1). The secondary endpoint was the evaluation of the patients' adherence to diet during the check-up outpatient visits, at 2 (T2), 6 (T3), and 12 (T4) months after discharge. Methods 168 subjects were enrolled (61 males and 117 females, aged 58.5 ± 13 years, BMI 41.3 ± 6 kg/m2) in the study. The difference in values ​​(end of hospitalization compared to baseline) was calculated through the univariate analysis procedure, which provides regression analysis and analysis of variance for a variable dependent on one or more variables. Results There was a statistically significant improvement of all parameters investigated: total mass (− 5.68 kg), fat mass (− 4416.85 g), fat mass index (− 1724.56), visceral adipose tissue (− 332.76 g), arm circumference (− 1.63 cm) and calf circumference (− 1.16 cm). As it is reasonable to expect, even the fat free mass has been reduced (− 1236.03 g); however, the skeletal muscle index was not affected. Statistically significant improvement in glycaemic and lipid profile were reported. The BMI average reduction continued from discharge until T4. No statistically significant changes in fat free mass and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were reported during a year of follow-up. Conclusions The present study demonstrated the clinical benefits of 8-week MRP, which includes hypocaloric diet, physical exercise, and psychological support. Level of evidence III, evidence obtained from cohort or case–control analytic studies.

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the effects of a VLCKD combined with omega-3 supplementation (VLCKD diet only lasted for some weeks, and it was followed by a non-ketogenic LCD for the rest of the study period) on body composition, visceral fat, satiety hormones, inflammatory and metabolic markers. Methods It has been performed a pilot open label study lasted 90 days, in a cohort of 12 women with class I obesity aged 18 to 65 years. Data on body composition (evaluated by Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry—DXA), visceral fat, satiety hormones, inflammatory and metabolic markers were recorded. Results This study showed a body weight reduction mean difference over time of −13.7 kg and the waist circumference mean difference decrease of −13.3 cm. Also, the fat mass (FM) decreased—9.1 kg and visceral adipose tissue (VAT)—0.41 kg. No effects on fat-free mass (FFM) have been reported. Improvements were observed in the satiety hormones, with increased ghrelin and decreased leptin, and also in the metabolic profiles. Conclusions A VLCKD combined with omega-3 supplementation appears to be an effective strategy for promoting an high loss of FM with preservation of FFM in patients with class I obesity.