Predictors of susceptibility to weight change during a single cycle of weight gain and loss — ASN Events
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Predictors of susceptibility to weight change during a single cycle of weight gain and loss (#7)

Amy T Hutchison 1 , Dorit Samocha-Bonet 2 , Leonie K Heilbronn 1 3
  1. Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. Diabetes and Metabolism, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia

Weight-cycling (“yo-yo” dieting) is associated with weight re-gain, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia.  We have previously shown inter-individual variability in weight gain under hypercaloric conditions.  Variability is also observed following hypocaloric diets, and in weight loss success.  What predisposes individuals to weight fluctuation is not clear, and may modulate disease risk.  We examined metabolic changes in overweight individuals, during a single weight-cycling period.  Nineteen overweight men (n=10) and women (n=9) (37±12 years, BMI 28.3±2.4 kg/m2)were instructed to follow a hypercaloric diet (+1250kcal/d) for 28 days, prior to being switched to a liquid calorie diet (800kcal/d) for 12 weeks, or until they lost 10% body weight.  Body composition, fasting insulin, leptin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and C Reactive Protein (CRP) were assessed after overfeeding, and weight loss. 

Individuals gained 2.9±0.4 kg (1.9±0.4 kg fat) and lost 7.1±0.6 kg (6.6±3.2 kg fat) (all P<0.05).  We observed that weight loss, and the time to lose 5% of initial body weight, was related to the amount of weight gained (r=0.62, r=0.71 respectively, both P<0.01).  Thus, we classified individuals as “diet sensitive” (DS) (n=10; 4 males, 6 females; BMI 29.2±0.8) or “diet resistant” (DR) (n=9; 6 males, 3 females; BMI 27.3±0.6).  DS individuals (those with the largest weight changes) gained, and lost, more abdominal and total body fat following overfeeding and weight loss (all P<0.05; weight gain 3.7±0.5 kg, weight loss 9.2±0.6 kg).

Insulin, leptin, GIP, MCP-1 and CRP increased after overfeeding (P<0.05).  Insulin and leptin were reduced following weight loss, and the reduction in leptin was greater in DS individuals (P<0.01).  Weight loss reduced GIP concentrations in DS individuals only (P<0.05), whilst MCP1 and CRP were not changed after weight loss in either group.  DS individuals had higher baseline leptin and CRP concentrations (P<0.05).

Individuals who gained more weight during overfeeding also lost more weight, suggesting they were sensitive to dietary changes.  Leptin and CRP were the only variables related to this susceptibility. Weight gain increased CRP, and this was not corrected by subsequent weight loss.  This may contribute to the increased risk of type 2 diabetes in weight-cycling individuals.