The findings are consistent with the concept that CIDEA plays a role in adipose tissue energy expenditure.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore baseline outcome predictors of a 12-week very-low-energy diet (VLED) treatment. Methods: Obese patients (177 women and 90 men) started treatment. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used to predict weight loss (%), successful outcome (≧ 10% weight loss) and attrition. Potential predictors were anthropometry, socioeconomic variables, established questionnaires on health-related quality of life, and eating behavior, and additional questions related to dieting. Results: Mean weight loss was 13.5% (standard deviation (SD) 5.6) in women and 15.1% (6.1) in men (p = 0.054). Greater weight loss in women was predicted by having more children, lower education, and better perceived physical health (R-square (R²) = 12.7%), and in men by better ambulation capacity, living with a partner/children, and snacking on ice-cream more often (R² = 39.4%). Successful outcome in women was predicted by less obesity-related psychosocial dysfunction, and in men by better functioning in social interaction and ambulation capacity. Attrition was predicted by lower age and larger hip circumference in women, and in men by lower perceived general health. Two-week weight loss was independently associated with all outcomes except attrition in women. Conclusion: Factors related to perceived physical health, social interaction, socio-economic factors, and obesity-related psychosocial problems predicted VLED outcome. The predictors differed by gender.

Bariatric surgery may be associated with favourable effects on disability pension for up to 19 years in men whereas neither favourable nor unfavourable effects could be detected in women.

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that a prolonged refeeding duration after successful very-low-energy diet (VLED)-induced weight loss beneficially affects weight development and eating behaviour. Patients (n 269) were recruited to a 1-year obesity treatment programme with 12 weeks of an initial VLED. After the VLED, patients with $ 10 % weight loss were randomly allocated to 1 week (group 1) or 6 weeks (group 6) refeeding to an ordinary, energy-reduced diet, and thereafter followed and actively treated for an additional 40 weeks. Eating behaviour (revised twenty-one-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) was measured at baseline, during and after refeeding, and at week 52. Weight change over time in the two treatment groups was tested by repeated-measures analysis in completers and by intention to treat (ITT). Of the patients, 169 (109 women) lost $ 10 % during the VLED and were randomised. At randomisation, weight loss was 216·5 (SD 3·7) % in group 1 and 216·7 (SD 4·3) % in group 6 (P¼ 0·73). Between weeks 12 and 52, completers in group 6 regained significantly less weight (3·9 (SD 9·1) %) as compared with group 1 (8·2 (SD 8·3) %; P¼ 0·006) (ITT, P¼0·05). Completers in group 6 also maintained a higher level of dietary restraint after refeeding was completed, but eating behaviour did not differ at week 52. Weight change after the refeeding periods were completed did not differ significantly between the groups (P¼ 0·06). Overall, longer refeeding duration after successful weight loss with a VLED improves weight maintenance in a 1-year perspective.Obesity: Randomised trials: Very-low-energy diets: Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire Very-low-energy diets (VLED) can be used to accomplish rapid and substantial weight reduction in obese patients (1) . VLED are liquid formulas containing all essential nutrients with an energy content of 1·9 -3·3 MJ/d (2) . The low energy level results in weight losses of 1·5 -2·5 kg/week (2) with concurrent risk factor improvements (3,4) .During a VLED food choice is easy since energy-free fluid is the only complement needed. Also, it has been suggested that food cravings are more reduced with VLED than with food-based low-energy diets (5) , which may contribute to better dietary adherence (6) . Studies have shown that greater early weight reduction (7 -10) and the use of VLED (8) predict greater weight loss long term. However, after a VLED period, gradual weight rebound is generally seen (11 -13) . Alternative strategies have been suggested to prevent or limit weight regain after a VLED. Different supplementations do not seem to have an effect on post-VLED weight development (14 -16) , but improved weight maintenance has been observed with pharmacological therapy (17,18) , exercise (19) , continued use of VLED as part of the dietary allowance (20) and protein supplementation (21) .An important phase in VLED programmes is when ordinary foods are reintroduced. Throughout refeeding, patients are required to adopt strategies to adjust eating behaviour and dietary...