Initial and evolutionary profile of adverse responders to an intensive weight loss intervention: the RESOLVE Study

There is a need to better identify adverse responders to weight-loss interventions. The aim of this study was to: 1) identify potential predictive factors of adverse responders to weight loss; and 2) follow their long-term evolution.

One-hundred participants (56 females) with overweight (59.5±4.9 years) followed a 3-week intervention combining physical activity and diet followed by one-year monitoring, and were divided into three subgroups: 1) group A (N.=13) - "regainers" (weight regain during follow-up >100% of initial loss); 2) group B (N.=25) - "moderate regainers" (weight regain: 0-100%); and 3) group C (N.=46) - "weight relosers" (weight regain <0%). Body composition, food consumption, inflammatory and metabolic markers were assessed during the intervention and follow-up.

Baseline energy intake was lower in group A(1518±361kcal/day) vs. group B (1929±451kcal/day) (P=0.013) and C(1882±572kcal/day) (P=0.024). Group A initially presented a healthier metabolic profile and the total score of compliance (diet + physical activity) was lower in group A during follow-up (group A:38.3% vs. B:49.2%(P=0.007) and C:72.1% (P<0.001). Ghrelin levels tend to decrease and peptide YY (PYY) to increase during follow-up in groups B and C while blunted responses were obtained in A.

Adverse responders might be characterized by a less unhealthy metabolic profile at baseline but also by less favorable changes in their satiety-regulating hormones during the one-year follow-up.