title: Glucose homeostasis predicts weight gain: prospective and clinical evidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The potential long-term impact of low glycaemia on body fat accumulation has not been verified. Therefore, we examined the effects of low glucose concentrations on long-term energy balance and weight gain in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two sets of analyses were realized in order to verify this objective. First, Study 1 consisted of 259 participants between 20 and 65 years of age selected from Phase 2 of the Quebec Family Study (QFS). The association between glucose concentrations at the end of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and changes in body mass was analysed prospectively (mean follow-up of 6 years). In addition, Study 2 consisted of 44 obese participants (20 men and 24 women) randomly assigned to a 15-week weight loss program in either a drug therapy group (fenfluramine) or a placebo group coupled with energy intake restriction. The focus of this study was the relationship between glycaemic control at the end of the treatment and post-treatment weight regain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Study 1, the glucose concentrations at 120 min of the OGTT were negatively correlated with weight gain over 6 years (r=-0.42, p<0.01). In Study 2, the weight loss program induced a mean reduction in body weight of 10 kg in the fenfluramine and placebo groups. In participants who returned for a follow-up visit (mean=81 weeks after the intervention), the glucose area below fasting values (GABF) at the end of the OGTT increased with weight loss (p<0.01) and was correlated with weight regain (r=0.74, p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower glucose concentrations at the end of an OGTT are correlated with weight gain over time. Large amounts of weight loss are associated with low glycaemia at the end of an OGTT. These low glucose concentrations are strong predictors of the amount of weight regained after weight loss.
authors: Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Normand G
authors: NG
authors: Boulé
authors: Jean-Philippe
authors: JP
authors: Chaput
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Doucet
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Richard
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Després
authors: Claude
authors: C
authors: Bouchard
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Tremblay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005277:Fenfluramine