Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare energy balance-related variables between
successful weight-loss maintainers and never obese control women. Methods: Twenty-two
women who had successfully maintained a weight loss of at least 6.8 kg (15 lbs) for at least 1
year (age: 35.9 ± 8.8 yrs; BMI: 24.3 ± 3.2 kg/m²) were individually matched to 22 women who
had never been obese (age: 49.6 ± 1.6 yrs; BMI: 23.5 ± 2.7 kg/m²) for body weight (65.3 ± 9.2
vs. 65.0 ± 8.9 kg), fat mass (20.0 ± 7.4 vs. 19.9 ± 6.6 kg) and fat-free mass (44.6 ± 5.0 vs. 44.8 ±
4.8 kg). In both groups, body composition (DXA), physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE)
(accelerometer), resting energy expenditure (REE) and thermic effect of food (TEF) (indirect
calorimetry), Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire variables, appetite (visual analogue scale),
eating frequency (EF), energy intake (EI) and macronutrient composition (7-day food diary and
buffet-type meal) were measured. Results: There were significantly higher PAEE (1004.9 ±
248.6 vs. 824.9 ± 255.2 kcal, P < 0.05), EF (5.4 ± 0.7 vs. 4.4 ± 0.9 eating occasions, P < 0.01),
protein intake (19.0 ± 3.4 vs. 15.4 ± 2.7 %, P < 0.05), rigid dietary restraint (2.5 ± 1.2 vs. 1.4 ±
1.3, P < 0.05), and lower carbohydrate intake (243.8 ± 72.2 vs. 272.5 ± 77.2 g, P < 0.05) in the
weight-loss maintenance group as compared to women in the never obese control group. No
significant differences were noted between groups for REE, TEF, EI, and appetite variables.
Conclusion: These results suggest that successful weight-loss maintenance is associated to a diet
with increased satiating potential, greater cognitive control and increased PAEE.