title: Short-term weight loss patterns, baseline predictors, and longer-term follow-up within a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine weight loss patterns and predictors among participants in a primary care-based translation study of the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cluster analysis identified short-term (12-week) weight loss patterns among 72 intervention participants. Analysis of variance assessed cluster differences in weight loss maintenance at 15-month follow-up. Discriminant analysis identified baseline characteristics that best differentiated between clusters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants had baseline mean (SD) age of 55.0 (10.8) years and BMI of 31.9 (5.2) kg/m(2) . Cluster analysis identified three short-term weight loss patterns: modest (n = 15; 21%), moderate-and-steady (n = 43; 60%), and substantial-and-early (n = 14; 19%). Only participants with the latter two patterns achieved clinically significant (≥5%) short-term weight loss and maintained it at 15 months. On discriminant analysis, the modest cluster was most differentiated from other clusters by high friend encouragement for dietary change, high obesity-related problems, and low physical well-being. The moderate-and-steady cluster was differentiated by lower physical activity, family encouragement, and depression symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results provided insight into the heterogeneity of response to an effective lifestyle intervention by identifying short-term weight loss patterns and their baseline predictors and relationship to 15-month success. If replicated, results may help tailor strategies for participant subgroups in weight loss programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA; Department of Health Services Research, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, California, USA.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Yank
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Sandra R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Randall S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: Lisa Goldman
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Rosas
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs