A 12-month, randomised, controlled trial to examine the efficacy of the Korean diet in an Australian overweight and obese population – A follow up analysis

SummaryBackgroundThe prevalence of obesity is remarkably low in South Korea in comparison to other countries of similar economic development, which may be in part due to traditional diet. Previously we demonstrated that such a traditional Korean diet (KD) resulted in similar weight loss to a Western diet (WD) in an Australian population despite a higher energy intake by the KD group. However, food acceptability scores significantly favoured the WD, suggesting that the KD was less enjoyable to this Western population.MethodsA follow-up study was conducted at 6, 9 and 12 months to assess whether the KD group were successful in maintaining anthropometric measures, to establish the longer term food acceptability of the KD, and to assess for the significance of predictors on body weight change.ResultsThere was some increase in anthropometric measures during the follow-up period. Food acceptability scores increased for the KD group when no longer being provided with daily meals. The regular intake of Korean food was found to be correlated to body weight change, with a more frequent intake of Korean food associated with greater weight loss (r = −0.31, p = 0.04).ConclusionsThe continual intake of Korean food was a predictor of weight loss and therefore it may serve an important role in weight maintenance and should be incorporated into future trials. If these findings are confirmed in prospective studies they may have important implications in understanding how to minimise weight promoting counter-regulatory changes that develop following weight loss.