In December 2007 we initiated a large project on weight loss for overweight people with knee osteoarthritis
The intention is, among other things, to investigate both the influence of weight loss on cartilage degradation and gait function, and to compare different ways of maintaining the weight loss.
In late summer 2008 all 192 participants have been included.
They have been thoroughly diagnosed by clinical examination and a number of tests and image diagnostic procedures, and these procedures will be repeated after 16 weeks’ diet and yet again after a year.
The initial phase of weight loss is divided in two periods of 8 weeks, an intensive period and a moderate. There are weekly group-sessions with a specialized dietician.
After the diet phase the participants are randomized into three groups for either exercise, consciouss-raising group meetings with focus on healthy and low-energy food, or to a control group with no treatment.The first years of the study are sponsored by the Velux Foundation, the Danish Rheumatism Association and Cambridge Health and Weight Plan. Recently we have been promised additional funding from Cambridge Health and Weight Plan. Funding which will enable us to follow the participants for three more years.