Do fat cell morphometrics predict weight loss maintenance?
A comprehensive psychosocial approach was used to treat 44 otherwise healthy obese patients, 49-332 percent above desirable weight, whose fat cell morphometrics arbitrarily placed them into three groups: seven with predominant fat-cell hypertrophy, 18 with predominant hyperplasia, and 19 with mixed hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Continuous psychological support was provided to all patients, and life-style was altered by nutrition education and behavior modification. Psychiatric referral was made when indicated. Four of the 45 patients, who were refractory to treatment, were referred for surgery. Successful treatment was defined as maintenance of a weight loss of 18 kg or more for one year. Two of the seven hypertrophic, seven of the 18 hyperplastic, and 11 of the 19 mixed hypertrophic-hyperplastic patients had successful results without surgery. Overall success rate was 45 percent, and did not differ significantly according to fat cell morphometrics. Although greater weight losses were m
