Early Weight Loss and Other Predictors of Suboptimal Response on a Commercial Weight Loss Program

Background: There is a large degree of inter-individual variability in response to weight loss (WL) interventions and emerging evidence from non-commercial WL programs suggests the importance of early initial WL for longer-term success. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the association between four-week WL and final visit (FV) WL among adults with overweight or obesity participating in Medifast Weight Control Center programs, and (2) examine other predictors of suboptimal response to the intervention. Methods: Charts from 748 adults (71% female, 49.7 ± 12.7 years, BMI 36.6 ± 7.54 kg/m2) were analyzed. The programs included weekly in-person counseling sessions and low or reduced-calorie structured meal plans that combined meal replacements and conventional foods. Prescribed program length (23.2 ± 13.9 weeks, range 5102 weeks) was based on starting weight and individual weight loss goals. The time of the FV varied by individual (20.1 ± 13.7 weeks, range 4-85 weeks) and included those who stopped their program early. Participants were stratified by WL at 4 weeks (2%) and FV (5%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors of 2% WL at week 4, of which 87% lost >5% by the FV. The odds of losing