[The effect of a low-energy protein diet in short-term ambulatory treatment of obese women].
Fourteen obese women (BMI 37.2 +/- 7.3) were treated with a very low energy diet containing 1555 kJ (370 kcal) for 14 days. Weight loss occurred in all cases (4.2-10.7 kg, mean 6.46 +/- 1.68 kg), although usual weight-reducing regimens have not succeeded before. There were no complications and results of usual biochemical tests did not change. Body mass index and concentrations of serum total cholesterol decreased significantly, insulin levels fell in the first and fourth hour of a glucose tolerance test. Also serum triiodothyronine concentrations declined significantly but not below the lower limit of normal results. We concluded that short-term very low energy diet treatment enable a safe decline of excessive body mass in out-patients, including those resistant to usual reducing diets.