To identify anthropometric and behavioral characteristics associated with weight maintenance after an obesity treatment.

Adolescents (n = 72) enrolled in a 9-month obesity treatment were observed 1 and 2 years after discharge. Two groups, “successful” versus “limited or no success,” were created on the basis of the differences in body mass index (BMI) z-score between inclusion and end of follow-up. Anthropometric and behavioral characteristics were compared between groups.

Both groups showed a decrease in BMI z-score between inclusion and end of follow-up, 2.09 ± 0.68 SD for the successful group and 0.65 ± 0.43 SD for the group with limited or no success. Groups did not differ during treatment for any of the anthropometric characteristics considered, whereas differences clearly appeared 1 year after treatment and generally stabilized during the second year. Later adiposity rebound, trend for lower BMI in the mother, and, during follow-up, lower total energy intake, more energy at breakfast, and less snacking and television were recorded in the successful group.

Weight loss maintenance can neither be predicted with anthropometry during treatment nor with behavioral characteristics at inclusion, but can be estimated 1 year after discharge. Early life factors should also be taken into account for predicting treatment outcome.