An algorithm for planning lifestyle interventions to achieve and maintain realistic weight loss goals: translational strategies for an atypical biomedical invention.

Thursday, October 11, 2012 — Poster Session III
10:00 a.m. – Noon	Natcher Conference Center, Building 45	NIDDK	ENDOC-12

Authors

• G Lefevre
• M Miller

Abstract

Based on clinical studies of dieting people, NIDDK investigator Dr. Kevin Hall has developed a mathematical algorithm that can accurately predict 1) how much weight can be effectively lost by a given individual on a specific diet over a certain time and 2) what lifestyle changes are needed to maintain the new weight over time. Such an invention is a real breakthrough, since there is no other personalized and scientifically validated weight loss calculator on the market. In fact, the dieting industry has for decades assumed that 3500 calories equals one pound of weight gain or loss. This incorrect assumption has greatly simplified the task of weight loss prediction but has also been one of the main reasons why so many dieting strategies fail long term. The NIDDK Office of Technology Transfer and Development has developed a translational plan to license this unusual technology to potential customers. A roadmap of this process, which includes defining how to turn the algorithm into a marketable product, how to protect it, who to offer it to, and how and where to advertise for it, will be presented.

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