Biomarkers for predicting degree of weight loss

A method for weight loss in an obese individual, the method comprising:

• determining levels of biomarkers in one or more samples obtained from the obese individual, wherein the biomarkers comprise fructosamine, factor VII, adiponectin, and fasting insulin;
• obtaining a body mass index of the obese individual before a dietary intervention (BMI1);
• predicting a predicted body mass index of the obese individual after the dietary intervention (BMI2) using formula (2):
• BMI2=−1.25+0.35(if subject is female)+0.9(initial body mass index, BMI1)+0.003(age in years)−0.02(level of factor VII in units)−0.003(level of fructosamine, micromole/L)−0.007 (level of adiponectin, microg/mL)+0.01(level of fasting insulin, micromU/mL) (2);
• obtaining a degree of weight loss in a number of BMI units lost, where BMI loss=(BMI1-BMI2)*100)/BMI1;
• determining a category of the obese individual, wherein the category is selected from the group consisting of
• (i) weight loss resistant, wherein the obese individual is predicted to lose less weight than 15% of an expected weight loss for the obese individual;
• and
• (ii) weight loss sensitive, wherein the obese individual is predicted to lose more weight than 85% of the expected weight loss,
• wherein the expected weight loss is the average weight loss of a population of subjects that have undergone the dietary intervention;
• and
• if the obese individual is weight loss sensitive, providing to the obese individual the dietary intervention, wherein the dietary intervention comprises administering to the obese individual at least one of a meal replacement product or a supplement product which suppresses the appetite of the obese individual.