Association Between the Postprandial Response to an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test and Anthropometric Changes After an 8-Week Low-Calorie Formula Diet – Results From the Lifestyle Intervention (LION) Study

Scope: Interindividual variations in postprandial metabolism and weight loss outcomes have been reported. The literature suggests links between postprandial metabolism and weight regulation. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate if postprandial glucose metabolism after a glucose load predicts anthropometric outcomes of a weight loss intervention. Methods and results: Anthropometric data from adults with obesity (18–65 years, body mass index [BMI] 30.0–39.9 kg m⁻²) are collected pre- and post an 8-week formula-based weight loss intervention. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is performed at baseline, from which postprandial parameters are derived from glucose and insulin concentrations. Linear regression models explored associations between these parameters and anthropometric changes (∆) postintervention. A random forest model is applied to identify predictive parameters for anthropometric outcomes after intervention. Postprandial parameters after an OGTT of 158 participants (63.3% women, age 45 ± 12, BMI 34.9 ± 2.9 kg m⁻²) reveal nonsignificant associations with changes in anthropometric parameters after weight loss (p > 0.05). Baseline fat-free mass (FFM) and sex are primary predictors for ∆ FFM [kg]. Conclusion: Postprandial glucose metabolism after a glucose load does not predict anthropometric outcomes after short-term weight loss via a formula-based low-calorie diet in adults with obesity.