A new evidence review has shown that the important health benefits of weight loss are sustained even if some weight is regained. The study analyzed the results of 124 weight loss clinical trials involving over 50,000 people with an average age of 51 and an average body mass index of 33. The results showed that people assigned to a behavioral weight loss program shed between 5 and 10 pounds on average. This weight loss was maintained for at least five years, despite participants regaining between 0.26 and 0.7 pounds annually.
The study also found that participants who maintained their weight loss enjoyed lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar numbers. Experts believe that this could be due to a metabolic reset that persists even if some weight is regained. This means that even if a person regains some weight, the metabolic benefits of their weight loss program continue to provide health benefits. These benefits are particularly significant for people with conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, as maintaining lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of complications.
However, the study also found that the health benefits of weight loss diminished as more weight was regained. This highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in the long term rather than relying on short-term weight loss programs.
People who are overweight or obese are advised to attempt to lose weight and join a behavioral weight loss program to achieve long-term weight loss success. Behavioral weight loss programs can provide people with the tools and support they need to make healthy lifestyle changes that they can maintain long-term.
The study's findings are significant because they provide hope for people struggling to lose weight. It's common for people to regain weight after a weight loss program, which can be discouraging. However, this study shows that even if some weight is regained, the health benefits of weight loss can still be sustained. This is encouraging news for people who struggle with weight, as it means that even small amounts of weight loss can provide significant health benefits.
In conclusion, the new evidence review shows that the health benefits of weight loss are sustained even if some weight is regained. People who maintain weight loss enjoy lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar numbers, which can reduce the risk of complications for people with conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. However, the health benefits of weight loss diminish as more weight is regained, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in the long term. People who struggle with weight are advised to attempt to lose weight and join a behavioral weight loss program to achieve long-term weight loss success.
