Effect of Weight Loss Maintenance on Arterial Compliance and Metabolic and Inflammatory Parameters: A Three-Year Follow-Up Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the effect of long-term weight loss maintenance on arterial compliance, and metabolic and inflammatory parameters in obese patients who participated in a 6-month weight loss program featuring nutritional and exercise intervention. METHODS: Sixty-seven obese subjects who participated in a 6-month weight loss program were followed for an additional 30 months. The 47 patients who fully completed the 3-year follow-up were divided into two groups according to change in BMI from the end of the weight loss program to the long-term follow-up visit. Group 1 included 22 patients whose BMI decreased or remained stable; group 2 included 25 patients whose BMI increased after program discontinuation. Arterial compliance and metabolic measures were evaluated at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 36 months of follow-up. RESULTS: BMI changed from 35.4 ± 6.9 to 32.6 ± 6.6 after 6 months and to 33.4 ± 7.0 after 36 months. While 53% of participants regained weight after program discontinuation, the mean weight at 3 years remained lower than at entry into the study. Large artery elasticity index (LAEI) as well as small artery elasticity index (SAEI) increased during initial weight loss program in both groups. After program discontinuation, significant improvement in SAEI was observed in patients who decreased or did not change BMI, whereas SAEI decreased in subjects who gained weight. LAEI increased marginally in group 1, while it significantly decreased in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Obese subjects who successfully completed a 6-month behavioral weight loss program and decreased or maintained weight during 30 additional months exhibited improved arterial stiffness compared to subjects who regained weight.