Losing and regaining weight repeatedly—a pattern known as yo-yo dieting or body-weight cycling—can significantly increase the risk of kidney disease in people with type 1 diabetes, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
This research suggests that frequent weight fluctuations could harm kidney function, regardless of body mass index (BMI) or other traditional risk factors.
Yo-yo dieting is common, with estimates suggesting it affects up to 35% of men and 55% of women.
It has already been linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, particularly in the general population and in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, this is the first study to show that it also increases kidney disease risk in people with type 1 diabetes.
Traditionally, type 1 diabetes has been viewed as a disease primarily affecting lean individuals. However, just like in the general population, obesity rates are rising among people with type 1 diabetes. This trend makes understanding the long-term effects of weight fluctuations even more important.
Researchers from France analyzed six years of body-weight data from 1,432 participants in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study.
To measure weight fluctuations, they used a method called “variability independent of the mean” (VIM), which detects significant changes above and below a person’s typical body weight.
They then examined six kidney function indicators, with a primary focus on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)—a key measure of how well the kidneys filter toxins from the blood.
The Results Were Clear:
- Participants with greater weight fluctuations experienced a 40% decline in eGFR from their baseline levels, indicating worsening kidney function.
- Those with higher weight variability were more likely to develop albuminuria, a condition where excess protein (albumin) leaks into the urine, which is an early sign of kidney disease.
- Similar results were observed across multiple measures of kidney health, confirming the link between body-weight cycling and kidney disease progression.
Lead author Dr. Marion Camoin from the Center Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, France, emphasized the significance of the findings:
“We showed that high body-weight variability is associated with increased risk of different outcomes of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progressions in people with type 1 diabetes, independently of traditional risk factors.”
The exact reasons why weight cycling worsens kidney health are not fully understood, but researchers have a few theories:
- Insulin Therapy and Weight Fluctuations
- People with type 1 diabetes rely on insulin therapy, which can affect body weight. Some patients experience periods of weight gain and loss depending on insulin dosage and blood sugar levels.
- Stress on the Heart and Kidneys
- Rapid weight changes may increase strain on the heart, leading to vascular damage that affects kidney function.
- Weight cycling has been linked to higher blood pressure and inflammation, both of which contribute to kidney disease.
- Metabolic and Hormonal Effects
- Fluctuations in body weight can disrupt metabolism and hormone levels, making it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, and inflammation, all of which play a role in kidney health.
To reduce the risk of kidney disease in type 1 diabetes, experts recommend avoiding extreme weight loss and regain cycles. Instead, the focus should be on:
- Long-term weight stability rather than repeated dieting.
- Sustainable and balanced weight management rather than drastic fluctuations.
- Monitoring kidney function regularly, especially in individuals with a history of weight cycling.
“Strategies aimed at weight reduction in people with type 1 diabetes should focus on promoting long-term weight maintenance, as weight stability may have a positive impact on health outcomes,” the study authors suggested.
This study provides important evidence that yo-yo dieting is not just harmful to weight loss efforts but also to kidney health—especially in those with type 1 diabetes. While many people attempt to lose weight quickly, these findings emphasize the need for a more balanced, stable approach to weight management.
Keeping weight steady, rather than fluctuating, may help protect kidney function and improve long-term health outcomes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about bananas and diabetes, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Vitamin D that may reduce dangerous complications in diabetes and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
The research findings can be found in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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