Adaptive thermogenesis, at the level of resting energy expenditure, after diet alone or diet plus bariatric surgery

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare the magnitude of adaptive thermogenesis (AT), at the level of resting energy expenditure (REE), after a very low-energy diet alone or combined with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, as well as to investigate the association between AT and changes in appetite.

Methods

A total of 44 participants with severe obesity underwent 10 weeks of a very low-energy diet alone or combined with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Body weight and composition, REE, subjective appetite feelings, and plasma concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones were measured at baseline and week 11. AT, at the level of REE, was defined as a significantly lower measured versus predicted (using a regression model with baseline data) REE.

Results

Participants lost 18.4 ± 3.9 kg of body weight and experienced AT, at the level of REE (−121 ± 188 kcal/day; p < 0.001), with no differences among groups. The larger the AT, at the level of REE, the greater the reduction in fasting ghrelin concentrations and the smaller the reduction in feelings of hunger and desire to eat in the postprandial state.

Conclusions

Weight-loss modality does not seem to modulate the magnitude of AT, at the level of REE. The greater the AT, at the level of REE, the greater the drive to eat following weight loss.