Obesity has affected one-third of adults in the United States. The obesity epidemic has taken over a very high percentage in the United States and increased the risk such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. The typical weight loss methods include low-calorie diets ranging from 800 to 1,500 calories a day and physical activity. In addition, health care providers have begun to consider the Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) for short-term weight loss in moderate to highly obese patients. The VLCD usually prepares meal plans of about 800 calories that replace food intake extending over several weeks or months. VLCDs are not the same as a meal replacement, like a shake or a smoothie; it is solely based on eating a certain amount of calories. VLCDs usually produce effective and significant short-term weight loss in moderate to highly obese patients.

A significant amount of studies have shown that replacing meals with lower-calorie levels around 800-1000 calories has produced weight loss similar to diets seen with much lower calorie levels, which is probably due to better compliance with diets. The purpose of VLCDs is to create rapid weight loss and may allow you to lose on average 3 to 5 pounds per week. Doing this may lead to an average total of about 44 pounds over 12 weeks. 

Rapid weight loss like this can possibly improve overall health and medical conditions linked to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. For example, VLCDs may allow you to lose about 3 to 5 pounds per week. This may lead to an average total weight loss of 44 pounds over 12 weeks. Such a weight loss can rapidly improve medical conditions linked to obesity, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. 

The idea behind the fast weight loss associated with the VLCD can be very motivating and can create an overall healthier lifestyle. Patients who decide to be proactive from the suggested VLCD program can improve weight loss from 15 to 25 percent of their initial weight during the first 3 to 6 months.