Categorical strategies based on subject characteristics of dietary restraint and physical activity, for weight maintenance

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of categorical strategies based on subject-specific characteristics of dietary restraint and physical activity, on weight maintenance (WM) in overweight and obese subjects, after a very low calorie diet (VLCD). Furthermore, find predictors of WM that can be important in the context of obesity treatment. In all, 120 subjects (age: 49.0±9.8 y, BMI 31.0±3.8 kg/m2) followed a VLCD (2.1 MJ/day) for 6 weeks in a free-living situation, followed by a period of 1 y WM. Body weight (BW), body composition, leptin concentration, dietary restraint and physical activity were determined right before (t0) and after (t1) the VLCD, after 3 months (t2) and after 1 y (t3). During WM, subjects were divided into four categories of WM guidelines (dietary, activity, diet+activity, placebo), taking their capability measured during weight loss and their preference for particular guidelines into account. BW loss during VLCD was 7.0±3.1 kg. After 1 y follow-up, BW regain was 56.3±55.0%, without significant differences between the four groups. With respect to measured capability during weight loss, subjects with an increased dietary restraint (F1 of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire) had less BW regain than subjects with an increased physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) (35.5±53.2 vs 68.5±46.4%, Pvs 74.3%, Pvs 30.7±3.5 kg/m2, Pvs 100.6±11.2 cm, P90%) in originally dietary disciplined subjects who are supported by characteristics such as a relatively high baseline BMI, waist circumference and FM, together with the ability to spare FFM.