Weight Reduction is Associated with Decreased CRP Levels

Background: Obesity is very costly for society and weight reduction is important to reduce obesity related diseases. We have evaluated the effect of weight reduction on CRP values to see if high sensitivity CRP could be used to provide persons on life style intervention programs with positive feedback. Methods: Study subjects (n = 26) were recruited to a life style intervention program aiming for weight loss among the laboratory staff at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden. Blood samples for high sensitivity CRP were collected at inclusion and after 4 weeks. Body composition was estimated by measurements performed on an inexpensive bioimpedance analyzer. Results: CRP reduction was significantly associated with weight reduction after four weeks (p = 0.00005) and eight weeks (p = 0.0002). Data from the bioimpedance analyzer were not useful on an individual level. Conclusions: High sensitivity CRP could be used to provide positive feedback in workplace weight reduction programs.