Evaluating success of weight loss programs, with an application to fluoxetine weight reduction clinical trial data.

Author: Sayler ME, Goldstein DJ, Roback PJ, Atkinson RL

Author affiliation: Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285.

Publication date & source: 1994.11, Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord., 18(11):742-51.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

We modified criteria for judging successful obesity treatment proposed by Atkinson to provide objective criteria for successful benefit from weight reduction programs with respect to data from a clinical trial. The criteria include assessments of changes in both weight-related factors (e.g. excess weight, excess body fat) and obesity-related risk factors (e.g. hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia). To demonstrate the use of this methodology, we applied the criteria in an analysis of eight randomized, double-blind controlled trials comparing fluoxetine (n = 522) with placebo (n = 504) for weight loss. The results suggest these criteria can be useful for evaluating a treatment program or for comparing treatments from clinical trials.