Using a modified Protein Sparing Modified Fast for Treating Severe Obesity (PSMF): A Pilot Study

Purpose: Approximately 6.0% of U.S. children have severe obesity, unfortunately, youth with severe obesity respond poorly to current conventional lifestyle interventions when compared to their overweight and obese peers. Therefore, the treatment options are limited. One alternative treatment approach is the protein-sparing modified fast (PSMF), a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet shown to result in substantial and potentially sustainable weight loss. Although there is evidence for PSMF’s safety and efficacy in adults and a handful of pediatric studies, it is …