Remission of metabolic syndrome following a 15-week low-calorie lifestyle change program for weight loss.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the rate of remission of metabolic syndrome (Met Syn) among patients undergoing a brief, low-calorie lifestyle change weight loss intervention and to compare the baseline characteristics of patients who were remitted and not remitted from Met Syn at post-treatment.


METHODS
Obese adults (N=36) meeting criteria for Met Syn enrolled in an outpatient fee-for-service behavioral weight loss intervention. Participants were assessed on key Met Syn variables (waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and fasting blood glucose) at pre- and post-treatment.


RESULTS
The majority of patients (61%) responded to treatment after a 9.9% mean weight loss. Although Met Syn responders did not differ significantly from Met Syn non-responders on any baseline Met Syn criterion variable, responders had significantly lower baseline body mass indices (BMI; kg/m(2)) and met criteria for fewer baseline Met Syn variables. As expected, Met Syn responders, compared with Met Syn non-responders, had significantly lower post-treatment waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose. Patient groups did not differ significantly on weight lost (kg or %), or on the proportion of patients losing > or =10% of initial body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
In a community population, Met Syn responds to weight loss through a low-calorie lifestyle intervention; for some patients, however, the recommended 10% weight loss may not be enough for Met Syn remission.
Lundgren
J D
JD
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weight Management Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Malcolm
R
R
Binks
M
M
O'Neil
P M
PM
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D014280:Triglycerides