title: Persistence of weight loss and acquired behaviors 2 y after stopping a 2-y calorie restriction intervention.
abstract: Background:Calorie restriction (CR) influences aging processes and extends average and maximal life spans. The CALERIE 2 (Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy Phase 2) study was the first randomized clinical trial to examine the metabolic and psychological effects of CR in nonobese humans.Objective:We conducted a 2-y follow-up study of adults who underwent 2 y of CR or ad libitum (control) consumption and determined whether weight loss and acquired behaviors persisted after the study ended when participants determined their own lifestyle behaviors.Design:In this prospective, longitudinal study, we assessed differences in weight, body composition, psychological function, and energy expenditure in 39 nonobese [body mass index (in kg/m2): 22-28] men and women (25% CR:n= 24; control:n= 15) 12 and 24 mo after they completed the CALERIE 2 study at Pennington Biomedical.Results:Of 39 participants who were in the follow-up study, 29 subjects (CR:n= 18; control:n= 11) completed all visits at follow-up months 12 and 24. After the CR intervention, a mean ± SEM weight loss of 9.0 ± 0.6 kg was observed in the CR group, in which only 54% of the weight was regained 2 y later. Despite such a regain, weight, the percentage of body fat, and fat mass remained significantly reduced from baseline throughout follow-up and remained significantly less than in the control group (P< 0.05). At follow-up, the CR group retained higher degrees of dietary restraint and avoidance of certain foods.Conclusion:After a 2-y intensive CR intervention, ∼50% of CR-induced weight loss was maintained 2 y later, which was probably the result of lasting effects on acquired behaviors and dietary restraint. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00943215.
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA.
authors.forename: Kara L
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7721-7900
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Marlatt
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA.
authors.forename: Leanne M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7267-7374
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA.
authors.forename: Jeff H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA.
authors.forename: Corby K
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8125-4015
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA eric.ravussin@pbrc.edu.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2129-547X
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ravussin
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D000068959:Body Weight Maintenance; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: CALERIE study; calorie restriction; diet; energy expenditure; metabolic adaptation; mood; quality of life; weight loss