Efficacy of Diet and Hypnotic Suggestions or Telemedicine in Obesity Management

This is a prospective randomized control trial among obese subjects. The scope of the study includes: identification of nutritional habits leading to obesity; assessment of patient's motivation to introduce life style changes; assessment of anthropometric parameters, body composition, arterial stiffness and resting metabolic rate at baseline and at specific control points; development of individual medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and weight reduction plan depending on the initial body weight of the subjects; quantitative and qualitative assessment of the diet at baseline and in each month for a period of 6 months (Part A) and 9, 12 months (Part B); assessment of nutritional knowledge at baseline and at specific control points; education of patients using the behavioral-cognitive method, conducted for 6 months; introduction of hypnotic suggestion (HS) or telemedicine (T) to support the achievement and the maintenance of the lifestyle changes. The study covers a group of 90 adults, both sexes, with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m\^2), undergoing individual MNT, randomly assigned to one of three groups for 6 months (Part A): Group 1 - individual MNT (30 people); Group 2 - individual MNT and T (30 people); Group 3 - individual MNT and HS (30 people). All subjects will continue the program for additional 6 months (Part B follow up). The selection of subjects for the study is purposeful and the participation in the study is voluntary. All subjects are educated to follow a reduced calorie Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet ("DASH") for 6 months (Part A). Education materials (handouts and sample meal plans) are provided to the subjects. The primary and secondary outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, months 1,2,3,4,5, 6 (Part A) and months 9, 12 (Part B follow up).