Weight-loss relapse and regain
90% of people with obesity are unable to keep weight off long term.1,*,† A timely and effective weight-management plan can prevent obesity from recurring.1-3
*Long-term weight loss defined as losing at least 10% of initial body weight and maintaining the loss for at least 1 year.
†Results from quantitative surveys in a study of over 3,000 adult patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more, based on self-reported height and weight.
Weight loss triggers multiple processes that defend baseline body weight and make it very difficult to maintain weight loss4
These mechanisms contributing to weight regain persist for at least 1 year.4
Study Design
Study enrolled 50 patients with BMI of 27 to 40 kg/m2 who were prescribed a very low-calorie diet (500-550 kcal/day) for 8 weeks, followed by individual counseling from a dietitian for 1 year with the aim of weight maintenance and suggested 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Circulating levels of appetite-regulating hormones were measured at weeks 10 and 62 and were compared with baseline levels.4
A review of 14 long-term studies showed that people with obesity regained weight after weight loss achieved by dieting5
Study Design
Study participants’ weight and diet statuses were assessed at baseline; then their weight was measured at follow-ups for up to 7 years after the diet ended. These data are from a review of 14 diet studies with long-term follow-ups. Adapted from Mann T, Tomiyama AJ, Westling E, Lew AM, Samuels B, Chatman J. Medicare’s search for effective obesity treatments: diets are not the answer. Am Psychol. 2007;62(3):220-233.5
Diagnosis is the first step to treating obesity
Pharmacotherapy may help some patients sustain weight loss
References
1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2018;26(1):61-69.
2. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. 2017;18(7):715-723.
3. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22(suppl 3):1-203.
4. Sumithran P, Prendergast LA, Delbridge E, et al. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(17):1597-1604.
5. Mann T, Tomiyama AJ, Westling E, et al. Medicare's search for effective obesity treatments: diets are not the answer. Am Psychol. 2007;62(3):220-233.
