Lipoprotein Responses to Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance in High-risk Obese Subjects

Ditschuneit HH, et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;56:264-270.

Objective

To examine changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins after 51 months of reduced energy intake and sustained weight loss.

Methods

See Flechtner-Mors abstract for details.

Results

This study reports on the lipid and lipoprotein changes occurring after sustained weight loss in high-risk patients (high risk =6.2 mmol/L as defined by the National Education Cholesterol Program's cut-points for total cholesterol). Those patients exhibiting elevated serum total cholesterol (TC) at study initiation had a significant reduction (P<0.005) in TC (14.7%) after 4 years of sustained weight loss of 6.7% of initial body weight. This reduction was accompanied by a 6.6% and 50.3% reduction in LDL-C and VLDL-C, respectively. This observation suggests that those at greatest risk experience the greatest benefit from weight loss. Patients at intermediate or low risk did not experience an improvement in blood lipids.

Conclusion

Risk factors for disease can be modified with weight loss. It is of major importance for the healthcare professional, when confronted with a high-risk overweight or obese patient, to stress the clinical benefits accompanying weight loss.

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