Prognostic markers for diet-induced weight loss in obese women.
OBJECTIVE
To identify prognostic metabolic and hormonal markers for long-term weight loss outcome in obese women.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic in Copenhagen.


METHODS
Forty consecutive female obese patients aged 15 to 62 years.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Astrup
A
A
Research Department of Human Nutrition, RVAU, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Buemann
B
B
Gluud
C
C
Bennett
P
P
Tjur
T
T
Christensen
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000592:standards*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000592:standards*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D009638:Norepinephrine