A recent study conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre sheds light on the effects of weight loss followed by weight regain on muscle mass.
The findings, published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, focused on the body composition of 622 adults at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Professor Tom Yates, the lead author and an expert in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Health at the University of Leicester, highlighted the significance of this study.
He explained, “The rising clinical and economic costs of obesity have led to various dietary interventions and weight loss treatments. However, a common issue is the recurrence of weight gain over time, regardless of the method used.
This study raises important questions about the long-term consequences of cycles of weight loss and regain on body composition and overall physical health.”
The research closely examined participants in the “Walking Away from Type 2 Diabetes” behavioral intervention, which aimed to promote physical activity through walking.
The study assessed participants’ yearly weight changes over two 24-month periods. To gain insights into their body composition, researchers used bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), a method that measures fat mass and fat-free mass, validated against dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans.
Professor Yates elaborated on the importance of fat-free mass, stating, “Fat-free mass comprises all the body parts that do not contain fat, with muscle mass being the most significant component.
While a loss of fat-free mass naturally occurs with age, lifestyle behaviors can further impact it. Anything that accelerates the loss of fat-free mass can be seen as expediting the aging process and may have implications for long-term muscle weakness and frailty.”
The study’s results revealed that while most participants maintained their body weight without changes in fat mass or fat-free mass, a subset (4.5% of observations) experienced weight loss exceeding 5% of their body weight within the first 12 months of the study, only to regain it over the following 12 to 24 months.
Professor Yates continued, “What intrigued us was that individuals who underwent weight loss and regain eventually regained all their fat mass but lost 1.5 kg of fat-free mass.
This loss is equivalent to approximately a decade of aging. This suggests that ‘weight cycling’ may lead to a progressively deteriorating body composition, which could have implications for long-term physical health.”
In essence, this study underscores the importance of considering the consequences of weight cycling on muscle mass and overall health.
It highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the impact of weight fluctuations, especially in individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes, and the potential long-term implications for physical well-being.
If you care about obesity, please read studies about Scientists find new key cause of obesity and findings of Double whammy: diabetes drug also knocks out obesity.
For more information about obesity, please see recent studies about low-carb keto diet could manage obesity effectively and results showing popular weight loss diet linked to heart disease and cancer.
The research findings can be found in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
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