Efficacy of very low-energy diet programs for weight loss: A systematic review with meta-analysis of intervention studies in children and adolescents with obesity.

The objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of very low-energy diet (VLED) programs for weight loss in children and adolescents with obesity. Six electronic databases were searched identifying 24 eligible studies (16 pre-post studies, four nonrandomized trials, two randomized controlled trials [RCTs], and two chart reviews) published up to October 2018. Studies were in English, implemented a VLED (≤3360 kJF/day [≤800 kcal/day] or <50% estimated energy requirements) in 5- to 18-year-olds with obesity, and reported at least one weight-related outcome.