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Weight relapsers, maintainers, and controls: metabolic and behavioural differences.
G D Ball1, J R Gingras, A Fimrite
1Dept. of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
Summary
Relapsers who regain weight after losing it are older and heavier, with higher body mass and fat mass than successful weight maintainers. Physiological differences, not weight loss strategies, distinguish these groups.
Area of Science:
- Obesity research
- Human physiology
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Maintaining weight loss is challenging.
- Understanding factors differentiating successful maintainers from relapsers is crucial for effective obesity interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify physiological and behavioral factors associated with successful weight maintenance versus weight regain in women.
- To compare relapsers, weight maintainers, and controls on various health parameters.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of three groups: relapsers, maintainers, and controls.
- Assessment of physiological variables: resting energy expenditure (REE), glucose, insulin, leptin, triiodothyronine (T3), and body composition.
- Interviewer-administered Weight Maintenance Questionnaire (WMQ).
Main Results:
- Relapsers were older and heavier than maintainers and controls.
- Relapsers exhibited higher BMI, skinfolds, circumferences, serum leptin, and insulin levels.
- No significant differences were found between maintainers and controls across measured parameters.
- Weight loss strategies and exercise habits did not differ between relapsers and maintainers.
Conclusions:
- Higher body mass and fat mass in relapsers may underlie observed physiological differences.
- Factors beyond initial weight loss strategies and exercise habits contribute to weight regain.
- Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms of weight regain and inform interventions.