Uptake and early outcomes of a meal replacement intervention in an ethnically diverse adult population living with obesity and significant comorbidity
Authors' conclusion
A 12-week MR-LED intervention delivered in a specialist service achieved clinically meaningful weight loss and improved metabolic and psychological outcomes in a high-risk, multi-ethnic cohort living with higher body weight.
Study context
- Population
- Ethnically diverse adults living with obesity and significant comorbidity (73% Pacific or indigenous Māori); mean baseline weight 145.0 kg, BMI 49.9 kg/m²; 73% T2D on treatmentcommenced meal replacement low energy diets (MR-LED)
- Participants
- 128 adults
- Exposure
- Declined bariatric surgery vs Young adults with T2D vs Awaiting corneal transplant
- Declined bariatric surgeryn = 111
- Young adults with T2Dn = 11
- Awaiting corneal transplantn = 6
- Outcome
- Weight loss among completers
- Follow-up
- 12 weeks
Methodological detailssingle-group, specialist weight management service, multidisciplinary team, Of 1172 screened, 482 met inclusion criteria; 12-week MR-LED was first phase of a 12-month programme
- Single-group
- Specialist weight management service
- Multidisciplinary team
- Of 1172 screened, 482 met inclusion criteria; 12-week MR-LED was first phase of a 12-month programme
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Completed 12-week MR-LED
92
72%
Mean (SD) weight loss
10.9 (7.8) kg
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Completion in young adults with T2D
- Young adults with T2D were less likely to complete the programme
People with diabetes: completion and HbA1c <50 mmol/mol on no diabetes medication · 12 weeks
- Completed 12-week intervention
- 63/94 (67%)
- HbA1c <50 mmol/mol on no diabetes medication
- 21/63 (33%)
Psychological and quality of life scores
- Psychological and quality of life scores improved
Original publication
Uptake and early outcomes of a meal replacement intervention in an ethnically diverse adult population living with obesity and significant comorbidity. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 19 February 2026. doi:10.
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