Prognostic Value of Ultrasound Stratigraphy in Long-Term Weight Loss: Results from a Nutritional Counseling Program.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Weight control through lifestyle interventions represents a suitable strategy to avoid the metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive comorbidities associated with overweight and obesity. Reduced testosterone (T) levels are a worsening factor in overweight males. However, prognostic parameters of long-term weight loss are not readily available. Here, we tested the prognostic value of early variations of anthropometric and hormonal parameters, with a focus on ultrasound stratigraphy (US) and the reduction in body mass index (BMI) associated with nutritional counseling/lifestyle interventions at 6-month follow-up.

METHODS:

Ninety-five male subjects (BMI 25-34.9 kg/m2) who had undergone nutritional/lifestyle interventions, were retrospectively analyzed for: body weight and composition; US evaluation at the triceps (TRC), abdominal (ABD), and thigh (THI) areas; and circulating levels of T, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. Sixty patients (63.2%) completed the 6-month follow-up program.

RESULTS:

At 6 months, a significant reduction in BMI (26.38 ± 1.55 vs. 31.5 ± 5.0 basal, p < 0.001) and increase in T levels (18 ± 5.4 vs. 9.5 ± 2.3 nmol/L basal, p = 0.04) were observed. Subjects in the highest quartile of the BMI reduction at 6 months (ΔBMI 6 mo), compared to the lowest, showed a significant difference at the 2-month follow-up variation of BMI (p = 0.025), and fat and muscle thickness at the TRC (both p < 0.001) and ABD (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively) areas. Variation of TRC muscle thickness at 2 months was the only independent predictor of ΔBMI 6 mo in the multiple stepwise regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS:

BMI evaluation and US represent useful monitoring tools in the follow-up of nutritional/lifestyle interventions for overweight-to-mildly obese patients. The important effects on motivation and adherence to the intervention program are to be considered.

• Authors: Luca De Toni, Gabriel Cosmin Petre, Andrea Garolla, Ilaria De Santis, Umberto Valente, Carlo Foresta, Maurizio De Rocco Ponce
• Journal: Obesity facts (Obes Facts) Vol. 12 Issue 6 Pg. 606-617 ( 2019) ISSN: 1662-4033 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 31707390 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2019 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Topics

• Adult
• Behavior Therapy (methods)
• Body Composition (physiology)
• Body Mass Index
• Body Weight
• Body Weights and Measures (methods)
• Counseling
• Electric Impedance
• Humans
• Life Style
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (diagnosis, therapy)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prognosis
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Reduction Behavior
• Time Factors
• Ultrasonography (methods)
• Weight Loss (physiology)
• Weight Reduction Programs (methods)