Low-Calorie Diet May Not Reduce Hip Osteoarthritis Pain but Offers Other Health Benefits

Recent research indicates that adopting a low-calorie diet in conjunction with exercise does not significantly alleviate pain associated with hip osteoarthritis in adults. A carefully conducted randomized controlled trial assessed whether adding a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) to an exercise regimen could influence hip pain severity and overall health outcomes.

The study included 101 adults over 50 years old with diagnosed hip osteoarthritis who were overweight or obese. These participants were randomly assigned to either an exercise-only group or a combined VLCD and exercise group. The exercise program consisted of five consultations with a physical therapist and a home-based strengthening exercise routine, while the VLCD group received similar exercise support plus six sessions with a dietitian for guidance on a ketogenic VLCD.

Over six months, the primary focus was on changes in hip pain severity. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding pain reduction at 6 or 12 months. However, secondary outcomes told a different story: participants in the VLCD plus exercise group experienced greater improvements in physical function, significant weight loss, and better scores in hip-related quality of life measures.

Specifically, 82% of individuals in the VLCD group achieved more than 5% body weight loss compared to just 16% in the exercise-only group. These findings suggest that while weight loss through a VLCD may not directly decrease hip pain, it can contribute to improved physical function and overall health. The research supports considering weight management as part of comprehensive treatment strategies for hip osteoarthritis and prompts further investigation into whether weight loss can delay or reduce the need for joint replacement surgery.

The study was published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" and involved collaboration among researchers from the University of Sydney and other Australian institutions. For more information, visit the original publication: ANNALS of Internal Medicine.