What you get by completing this session

  • 24 mins of CPD

    A 24 minute video lecture with presentation slides, you can stop and start anytime you like!

  • Certificate of Completion

    Receive a certificate once you complete the session. Download this from your student dashboard or completion email

  • Easy CPD Documentation

    Fill out the CPD Documentation activity at the end of the session, receive a PDF summary of your CPD activity and reflection right to your email inbox to save or print out

What you'll learn in this expert session

Research shows meal-replacement products are a safe and effective method of losing weight. Prof Dixon discusses the clinical evidence for Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs) and why meal replacements are an essential element in weight management and the treatment of obesity. Prof Dixon addresses misconceptions that this approach is inferior to lifestyle or medication and surgery options, and explains the need for clinicians to familiarise themselves with the VLCD options available. 

Learning Objectives:

  • Outline treatments of obesity
  • Understand how VLCD meal replacements work
  • Describe the phases involved in a VLCD diet: intensive, transition, stabilization and maintenance
  • Discuss the evidence for VLCDs in weight management
  • Outline the common adverse effects or complications of VLCD diets 

About the Expert

Prof John Dixon

Prof John Dixon is an Adjunct Professor at the Iverson Health Innovations Institute, Swinburne University, Melbourne. As an experienced clinician, Prof Dixon is known globally for his breadth of clinical research into obesity and its complications as well as weight loss treatments and their effects on health. He rates in the top researchers worldwide in the fields of obesity; weight loss; morbid obesity; and bariatric surgery. He has over 300 original research, review and guideline publications. Focused on seeing findings translated into clinical practice and on patient advocacy for the obese, Prof Dixon is involved in a wide range of organisations both in Australia and internationally.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Video Lecture

    • An Evidence Based Approach to Using VLCDs (24 mins of CPD)

    • Test your learning!