title: Long-term follow-up after weight management in obese dogs: the role of diet in preventing regain.
abstract: Regain after weight loss is widely reported in humans, but there is little information on this phenomenon in dogs. The current study aim was to determine long-term success of a weight loss regime and those factors linked with regain. Thirty-three obese dogs, that had successfully lost weight, were included, all enrolled between December 2004 and May 2009. After weight loss, dogs were switched to a maintenance regime and follow-up weight checks were performed periodically. A review of cases that had completed their weight programme was held during the summer of 2010 and a follow-up check was subsequently conducted, where dogs were reweighed and information was collected on current feeding practices. Median duration of follow-up was 640 days (119-1828 days). Fourteen dogs (42%) maintained weight, 3 (9%) lost >5% additional weight, and 16 (48%) gained >5% weight. Dogs fed a purpose-formulated weight loss diet regained less weight than those switched onto a standard maintenance diet (P=0.0016). Energy intake at the time of follow-up was significantly higher in those dogs fed a standard maintenance diet, compared with those that had remained on a purpose-formulated weight loss diet (P=0.017). These results suggest that weight regain occurs in about half of dogs after successful weight loss. Long-term use of a purpose-formulated weight management diet can significantly limit regain in the follow-up period, likely by limiting food intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK. ajgerman@liv.ac.uk
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: German
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Biourge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004285:Dogs; D002149:Energy Intake; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss