Personalized predictions to identify individuals most likely to achieve 10% weight loss with a lifestyle intervention

Kuhlemeier, Alena and Van Horn, David J. and Jaki, Thomas and Wilson, Dawn K. and Resnicow, Ken and Jimenez, Elizabeth Y. and Van Horn, M. Lee (2025) Personalized predictions to identify individuals most likely to achieve 10% weight loss with a lifestyle intervention. OBESITY, 33 (5). pp. 861-869. ISSN 1930-7381, 1930-739X

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Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to generate an algorithm for making predictions about individual treatment responses to a lifestyle intervention for weight loss to maximize treatment effectiveness and public health impact.MethodsUsing data from Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD), a national, multisite clinical trial that ran from 2001 to 2012, and machine-learning techniques, we generated predicted individual treatment effects for each participant. We tested for heterogeneity in treatment response and computed the degree to which treatment effects could be improved by targeting individuals most likely to benefit.ResultsWe found significant individual differences in effects of the Look AHEAD intervention. Based on these predictions, two-thirds of the sample was predicted to experience a treatment effect within +/- 2% weight loss from the average treatment effect. If the treatment was targeted to the 69% of patients expected to meet a 7% weight-loss target at 1-year follow-up, the average treatment effect increases, with 10% average observed weight loss in the intervention group.ConclusionsThe Look AHEAD intervention would achieve a 10% average weight reduction if targeted to those most likely to benefit. Future research must seek external validation of these predictions. We make this algorithm available with instructions for use to demonstrate its potential capacity to inform shared decision-making and patient-centered care.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: ;
Subjects: 000 Computer science, information & general works > 004 Computer science
Divisions: Informatics and Data Science > Department Machine Learning & Data Science > Lehrstuhl für Computational Statistics (Prof. Dr. Thomas Jaki)
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 28 Jul 2026 07:20
Last Modified: 28 Jul 2026 07:20
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/67340

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