title: Clinical correlates of weight loss and attrition during a 10-week dietary intervention study: results from the NUGENOB project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify the pre-treatment subject characteristics and weight loss changes as determinants of weight loss and attrition during a 10-week dietary intervention study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 771 obese subjects (BMI 35.6 kg/m(2)) of both genders were included from 8 clinical centres in 7 European countries, who underwent a 10-week dietary intervention study comparing two hypo-energetic (-600 kcal/day) diets varying in fat content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multiple regression model showed that weight loss at week 10 was predicted by: 6.55 + 1.27 × early weight loss (kg) at week 1 + 1.35 × gender (R(2) = 0.28, p < 0.001). When performing the corresponding model with half-way weight loss (week 5) as covariate, the regression equation was: weight loss (kg) at week 10 = 1.88 + 1.38 × half-way weight loss (kg) (week 5) + 0.42 × gender (R(2) = 0.77, p < 0.001). A cut-off target of ≥ 4 kg weight loss at week 5 emerged as an optimal predictor for reaching at least 10% weight loss at week 10. Greater attrition likelihood was predicted by high-fat diet, decreased early and half-way weight losses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early and half-way weight losses are associated with and could contribute to prediction of the final weight loss and attrition.
authors.affiliation: National Multiprofile Transport Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria. teodorah@abv.bg
authors.forename: Teodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Handjieva-Darlenska
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: Katrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grau
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blaak
authors.forename: J Alfredo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Oppert
authors.forename: Moira A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Thorkild I A
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Astrup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002149:Energy Intake; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult