Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health

Objective. To determine if the rate of weight loss (WL) is associated with metabolic changes independent of the absolute WL. Methods. WL and health changes were assessed in 11,281 patients attending a publicly funded clinical weight management program over a treatment period of 12.7 months. Early we...

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Main Authors: Jennifer L. Kuk, Rebecca A. G. Christensen, Sean Wharton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Journal of Obesity
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3609642
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author Jennifer L. Kuk
Rebecca A. G. Christensen
Sean Wharton
author_facet Jennifer L. Kuk
Rebecca A. G. Christensen
Sean Wharton
author_sort Jennifer L. Kuk
collection DOAJ
description Objective. To determine if the rate of weight loss (WL) is associated with metabolic changes independent of the absolute WL. Methods. WL and health changes were assessed in 11,281 patients attending a publicly funded clinical weight management program over a treatment period of 12.7 months. Early weight loss rate (WLR) in the first 3–6 months and overall WLR were categorized as Fast WLR (≥1 kg/wk), Recommended WLR (0.5 to 0.9 kg/wk), or Slow WLR (<0.5 kg/wk). Results. On average, patients attained a 6.6 ± 7.3 kg (5.8 ± 5.7%) WL over 12.8 ± 13.1 months. Prior to adjusting for covariates, patients with Fast WLR (−24.7 ± 13.4 kg) at 3–6 months had a greater overall WL as compared to those with Recommended WLR (−13.3 ± 8.7 kg) and Slow WLR (−5.0 ± 5.4 kg). Fast WLR also had greater improvements in the overall waist circumference and blood pressure than patients with Slow or Recommended WLR. However, after adjustment for absolute WL, Early and overall Recommended and Fast WLR did not differ in the changes in any of the health markers (P>0.05). Conversely, the absolute WL sustained is significantly associated with changes in metabolic health independent of WLR (P<0.001). Similar results were observed with WLR over the entire treatment period. Conclusions. Faster rates of WL are associated with a greater absolute WL and larger improvements in waist circumference and blood pressure. However, after adjusting for the larger absolute WL sustained, early and overall faster WLR do not appear to have advantages for improving metabolic health markers. Thus, the absolute WL attained may be the most important factor for improving metabolic health.
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spelling doaj-art-4973279fca2e47bd903ba48cd5562c212025-08-20T02:39:21ZengWileyJournal of Obesity2090-07082090-07162019-01-01201910.1155/2019/36096423609642Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic HealthJennifer L. Kuk0Rebecca A. G. Christensen1Sean Wharton2School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, CanadaSchool of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, CanadaSchool of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, CanadaObjective. To determine if the rate of weight loss (WL) is associated with metabolic changes independent of the absolute WL. Methods. WL and health changes were assessed in 11,281 patients attending a publicly funded clinical weight management program over a treatment period of 12.7 months. Early weight loss rate (WLR) in the first 3–6 months and overall WLR were categorized as Fast WLR (≥1 kg/wk), Recommended WLR (0.5 to 0.9 kg/wk), or Slow WLR (<0.5 kg/wk). Results. On average, patients attained a 6.6 ± 7.3 kg (5.8 ± 5.7%) WL over 12.8 ± 13.1 months. Prior to adjusting for covariates, patients with Fast WLR (−24.7 ± 13.4 kg) at 3–6 months had a greater overall WL as compared to those with Recommended WLR (−13.3 ± 8.7 kg) and Slow WLR (−5.0 ± 5.4 kg). Fast WLR also had greater improvements in the overall waist circumference and blood pressure than patients with Slow or Recommended WLR. However, after adjustment for absolute WL, Early and overall Recommended and Fast WLR did not differ in the changes in any of the health markers (P>0.05). Conversely, the absolute WL sustained is significantly associated with changes in metabolic health independent of WLR (P<0.001). Similar results were observed with WLR over the entire treatment period. Conclusions. Faster rates of WL are associated with a greater absolute WL and larger improvements in waist circumference and blood pressure. However, after adjusting for the larger absolute WL sustained, early and overall faster WLR do not appear to have advantages for improving metabolic health markers. Thus, the absolute WL attained may be the most important factor for improving metabolic health.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3609642
spellingShingle Jennifer L. Kuk
Rebecca A. G. Christensen
Sean Wharton
Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health
Journal of Obesity
title Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health
title_full Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health
title_fullStr Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health
title_full_unstemmed Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health
title_short Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health
title_sort absolute weight loss and not weight loss rate is associated with better improvements in metabolic health
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3609642
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AT seanwharton absoluteweightlossandnotweightlossrateisassociatedwithbetterimprovementsinmetabolichealth