Prognostic markers for diet-induced weight loss in obese women

Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1995 Apr;19(4):275-8.

Abstract

Objective: To identify prognostic metabolic and hormonal markers for long-term weight loss outcome in obese women.

Design: Dietary intervention consisting of 36 weeks treatment by a 4.2 MJ/d low-fat high carbohydrate diet, and follow-up 2 1/2 years after termination of treatment.

Setting: Outpatient clinic in Copenhagen.

Subjects: Forty consecutive female obese patients aged 15 to 62 years.

Main outcome measure: Weight loss.

Results: The maximum weight loss (mean 16.2 kg, 95% CI 14.2-18.2) was positively associated to pre-treatment 24-h energy expenditure (P < 0.01), fat oxidation (%) (P < 0.02), plasma dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (P < 0.01), and to postprandial noradrenaline concentration (P < 0.04). Together these factors could explain 41% of the variation in maximum weight loss. Only 24-h EE and DHT had predictive power on weight loss after 36 weeks. Weight losses in upper and lower tertiles of DHT concentrations were 17.7 kg (14.1-21.4) and 9.8 kg (6.2-13.3) (P < 0.02). The adjusted relative risk of losing < 10 kg in the upper compared to the lower DHT tertile was 12% (4-32%). At 2 1/2 y follow-up 21 patients had maintained some of the weight loss (54%), while 14 patients had maintained > 5 kg weight loss (36%). High levels of pre-treatment DHT were also associated with better weight loss at 2 1/2 y follow-up.

Conclusion: The study suggests that in particular DHT, but also 24-h EE, fat oxidation, and plasma noradrenaline, may be prognostic markers for weight loss outcome in obese women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Diet, Fat-Restricted / standards*
  • Diet, Reducing / standards*
  • Dihydrotestosterone / blood
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Norepinephrine / blood
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / diet therapy*
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Regression Analysis
  • Weight Loss / physiology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Dihydrotestosterone
  • Norepinephrine