Long‐term weight control study VII (weeks 0 to 210): Serum lipid changes

We analyzed serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein profile changes occurring in the participants (N = 121) through 210 weeks of the study. On average, baseline lipid levels were within normal limits. The most consistent changes occurred in the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), serum total cholesterol/HDL‐C ratios, and triglyceride levels. HDL‐C increased significantly (p < 0.01), compared with baseline, by 10% at week 34, 15% at week 54, 19% at week 104, and 27% at week 139. At week 210, 20 weeks after treatment had ended, HDL‐C was 15% higher than baseline. At weeks 34, 54, 104, and 139, the serum total cholesterol/HDL‐C ratio was significantly decreased, compared with baseline, by 9%, 19%, 17%, and 25%, respectively. At week 210, serum total cholesterol/HDL‐C ratio was 8% less than week 0. Compared with baseline, triglyceride levels decreased significantly by 21%, 31%, 29%, and 29% at weeks 34, 54, 104, and 139, respectively. At week 210, triglyceride levels were 16% below baseline. Total cholesterol levels and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) showed less dramatic changes. Patterns of lipid and lipoprotein changes were qualitatively similar between men and women. However, greater decreases in serum total cholesterol, LDL‐C, and triglyceride levels were observed in participants with high (n = 10) compared with low (n = 10) baseline lipid levels. Cholesterol changes were not affected by anorexiant medications. However, triglyceride levels at week 34 were significantly (p < 0.025) less in the participants treated with anorexiants. Overall, participants in the long‐term weight control study had beneficial changes in their lipid profiles, thus decreasing their risk of coronary heart disease. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1992) 51, 634–641; doi: