Background: There is a difference between measured and predicted weight loss in obese patients. This might be explained by the composition of weight loss, adaptive thermogenesis, or poor compliance. Patients and Methods: 48 overweight and obese female patients (31.5 ± 6.1 years; BMI 35.4 ± 4.4 kg/m2) were investigated before and 13.9 ± 2.4 weeks after dietary treatment (1,000 kcal/day). Body composition was measured by air-displacement plethysmography and resting energy expenditure (REE) by indirect calorimetry. Physical activity was assessed using electronic pedometers in order to calculate total energy expenditure from REE and physical activity level (PAL). Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were converted into caloric equivalents using 9.45 kcal/g FM and 1.13 kcal/g FFM. Predicted weight loss was calculated by Wishnofsky’s ‘7,700 kcal/kg rule’. Results: Weight (–8.4 ± 3.9 kg; p < 0.001), FM (–7.8 ± 3.6 kg; p < 0.001), and FFM (–0.6 ± 2.0 kg; p < 0.05) decreased with caloric restriction. Measured weight loss was only 44% of the predicted value. Since FM contributed to 87% of weight loss, the energy deficit/kg weight loss was considerably higher (9,098 ± 2,349 kcal/kg) than the assumed 7,700 kcal/kg. Adaptive thermogenesis after weight loss was significant in 26 of 48 women (–3.2 ± 1.2 kcal per kg FFM; p < 0.001). Conclusion: 14% of the difference between measured and predicted weight loss was explained by the higher proportion of FM in weight loss and 38% by adaptive thermogenesis (in 54% of the women). Thus, poor compliance was responsible for about 50% of the difference between measured and predicted weight loss only.

Keywords:
Dietary treatment, Body composition, Adaptive thermogenesis
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
2009
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.