Craig Diet Promotes Weight Loss, Other Health Benefits

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Craig Diet Promotes Weight Loss, Other Health Benefits

Emma Hitt, PhD

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/514849?src=mp

Oct. 19, 2005 — Interim six-month results from a study of the

Craig (JCI) diet suggest that the diet can promote weight loss, decrease

plasma triglyceride levels, and increase plasma carotenoid levels.

The findings were presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the North

American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO, now called The

Obesity Society) in Vancouver, Canada.

Cheryl Rock, PhD, RD, a professor in the Department of Family and

Preventative Medicine and the Cancer Prevention Control Program at the

University of California at San Diego, and colleagues wanted to

determine whether the JCI intervention would promote greater weight loss

in overweight or obese women at six months compared with women in

control conditions and whether the weight loss might be maintained

during a two-year period.

They also wanted to evaluate the effect of the weight-loss program on

cardiopulmonary fitness, and plasma lipid and carotenoid levels, as a

marker of fruit and vegetable consumption.

" The treatment arm was sent to a Craig center in San Diego and

provided free of charge with the program's services, including

one-on-one counseling, pre-portioned foods, support materials

(videotapes and DVDs encouraging exercise), and other materials, " Dr.

Rock told Medscape. By contrast, the control group subjects were

provided standard dietary counseling at randomization and at six months.

A total of 70 patients were randomized to the JCI program or the control

group. Average age was approximately 41 years, body mass index (BMI) was

34.0 kg/m2, and weight was 92.0 kg. The current analysis includes

six-month data collected for the majority of the participants.

Measurements were taken at baseline, 16 weeks, and six months (with

future measurements to be taken at 12, 18, and 24 months).

At six months, the change in weight, percentage of body weight lost, and

BMI were all significantly lower in the JCI group compared with the

control group. Weight loss was 7.2 kg for those assigned to the JCI

program vs 0.4 kg for the control subjects (P < .001); the percentage of

total body weight lost was 7.8% for the JCI group vs 0.4% for control

subjects (P < .001). Decrease in BMI was 2.6 kg/m2 for the JCI group vs

0.2 kg/m2 for control subjects (P < .001), and decrease in waist

circumference was 2.8 cm for the JCI group vs 0.5 cm for control

subjects (P < .005).

" These results are comparable to those attained from intensive

behavioral or medication-based interventions with minimal risk and

significant health benefits, " noted Dr. Rock.

The six-month measurements also indicated a reduction in plasma

triglycerides (two outliers were removed), 127 vs 103 mg/dL (P < .05),

and a significant increase in plasma carotenoids, 1.8 µmol/L vs 2.1

µmol/L (P < .05).

" On the basis of these findings, physicians can view the multifaceted

approach of the Craig program as an efficacious and superior

alternative for weight loss to that of usual care, " Dr. Rock said. " With

these data, physicians can be comfortable [that] the program will

support their patient's weight loss, and a positive health and lifestyle

change. "

According to Dr. Rock, the JCI program works best for those looking for

a tailored, one-on-one experience that is conducted in a private

environment. " It is important to note that a substantial portion of the

subjects in the study were from ethnic minority populations, " she added.

The study was funded by Craig, Inc. Dr. Rock resigned her position

as a member of the Craig Medical Advisory Board prior to the start

of the study.

NAASO 2005 Annual Scientific Meeting: Abstract 543-P. Presented Oct. 17,

2005.

Reviewed by D. Vogin, MD

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