Determinants of long-term weight maintenance.

The aim of this paper is to discuss existing evidence on the determinants of weight maintenance by examining population based studies on weight gain as well as studies on weight loss maintenance. The data shows that disadvantaged groups are less likely to maintain healthy weight, and various social and economic problems starting from early in the life cycle may increase the risk of later weight gain. Long-term data on weight loss maintenance is still very limited. It is obvious that permanent behavioural changes that lead to reduced energy intake and/or increased energy expenditure are needed but otherwise the search for predictors in weight loss maintenance has been largely discouraging. In conclusion, since social and economic problems seem to increase the risk of weight gain more attention should be paid to environments that promote healthy weight maintenance.