Study design
This randomised controlled trial had two study arms: dietary intervention (the LEVA method, a stepwise model to achieve a 500 kcal energy deficit per day) [After the baseline visit, the women randomised to the dietary intervention performed a weighed food record for 4 consecutive days as a part of the treatment. During the dietary registration, the participants were encouraged to continue eating their habitual diet and to include one day in the weekend. A 1.5-h face-to-face, structured individual diet behaviour modification treatment was carried out by a registered dietitian at the start of the 12-week intervention period. The dietary intervention was according to the LEVA method [The women randomized to the control group were given a brochure on Norwegian dietary guidelines [