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Relationship between weight loss maintenance and changes in serum leptin levels
R R Wing1, M K Sinha, R V Considine
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213, USA.
Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Serum leptin levels decrease with weight loss and remain lower with weight maintenance. However, neither initial leptin levels nor changes during weight loss predict future weight regain success.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Human Physiology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity is associated with elevated serum leptin concentrations.
- Initial weight loss reduces leptin levels.
- The relationship between leptin dynamics and weight maintenance is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of maintaining weight loss on serum leptin concentrations.
- To determine if baseline or post-weight loss leptin levels predict weight maintenance success.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-two overweight women (BMI 31.3 kg/m2) were studied.
- Measurements included serum leptin and body weight before, during (4 months), and after (6 months) a weight loss program.
- Statistical analyses correlated leptin levels and body mass index with weight changes.
Main Results:
- Weight loss averaged 8.1 kg, decreasing leptin from 30.1 to 20.4 ng/ml.
- Leptin levels tracked weight changes during both weight loss and maintenance phases.
- Neither baseline leptin nor initial leptin changes predicted subsequent weight regain.
Conclusions:
- Serum leptin concentrations dynamically change with body weight.
- Leptin levels during weight loss and maintenance are associated with current body weight, not predictive of future weight regain.
- Current leptin concentrations do not predict long-term weight management success.