# A multifaceted lifestyle program for weight loss in overweight adults: evidence from a randomised clinical trial

## TL;DR

A lifestyle program with dietary fiber supplements helped overweight adults lose weight and improve metabolic health in an 8-week trial.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that combining lifestyle changes with specific fiber supplements leads to significant weight and metabolic improvements.

## Key findings

- Participants receiving MLP with fiber supplements showed significant reductions in weight, BMI, and body fat.
- Different fiber types had distinct effects on blood lipids and inflammation markers.
- Improvements in liver and kidney function were observed in the treatment groups.

## Abstract

Obesity and associated metabolic disorders represent a major global health challenge. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a Multifaceted Lifestyle Program (MLP, combining dietary advice and supplementation with dietary fibre, probiotics and chromium) on weight, body composition and markers of metabolic health in overweight adults.

Fifty-seven overweight adults (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2, aged 19–65 years) participated in an 8-week intervention trial, with 50 completing the study. Participants were randomised into three groups (A–C): A: placebo (rice powder; control); B: MLP + BioPB (an equal part blend of carrageenan, konjac and cellulose); and C: MLP + P (psyllium fibre). The primary outcome was changes in anthropometric and metabolic health indices at 4 and 8 weeks. The secondary outcome was the effect of the different fibres.

At week 4, participants receiving MLP + P and MLP + BioPB exhibited significant reductions (p < 0.001) in body weight (− 4.8 kg; and − 5.1 kg, respectively), BMI (− 1.7 kg/m2 and − 1.7 kg/m2, respectively), body fat mass (− 3.7 kg and − 4.2 kg) and visceral fat scores (− 1.9 and − 2.4). Some lean tissue mass loss was also evident. These changes were sustained for 4 weeks post-intervention. MLP + P and MLP + BioPB showed differing effects on blood lipids and inflammatory markers: reductions in cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were greater and more persistent in the MLP + BioPB group, whereas the CRP levels (high CRP levels are linked to inflammation and metabolic disorders) were significantly reduced in the MLP + P group only. Significant improvements were also observed in the liver and kidney functions. No notable changes were observed in any parameters in the control group.

The MLP, incorporating fibre supplementation, produced clinically significant improvements in body weight, BMI and body fat in overweight adults, offering a practical strategy for managing obesity. Importantly, the type of dietary fibre used had distinct metabolic effects, underscoring the need for tailored fibre interventions to optimise metabolic health.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00394-025-03873-w.