A new study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Turkey challenges the long-held belief that gradual weight loss is more effective for long-term results. Researchers from Norway found that individuals who lost weight quickly not only shed more pounds initially but were also better at keeping the weight off after a year.
Study Details
The research involved 284 obese adults who were divided into two groups. The rapid weight loss group followed a 16-week plan with calorie restrictions: 1,000 calories per day for the first eight weeks, 1,300 for weeks nine to 12, and 1,500 for the final four weeks. In contrast, the gradual weight loss group reduced their daily intake by 1,000 calories, with participants self-reporting consumption of around 1,400 calories per day.
After the initial 16-week phase, both groups participated in a 36-week weight maintenance programme. The rapid weight loss group lost an average of 12.9% of their total body weight, compared to 8.1% in the gradual group. At the one-year mark, the rapid group had lost 14.4%, while the gradual group lost 10.5%.
Expert Insights
Lead author Dr Line Kristin Johnson from Vestfold Hospital Trust in Norway stated: "Our results clearly challenge the prevailing belief that slow and steady gradual weight loss is necessary to prevent weight regain and reduce obesity-related complications." She added that rapid weight loss was not associated with weight regain and that a larger proportion of participants in the rapid group achieved significant weight loss.
Dr Marie Spreckley, research programme manager at the University of Cambridge, commented: "This is an important study because it challenges the longstanding assumption that gradual weight loss is superior for long-term outcomes." She noted that the study adds to growing evidence that rapid weight loss, when delivered safely within a structured programme, can be an effective obesity treatment strategy.
Implications for Public Health
The researchers emphasized that these findings are particularly relevant given the urgent need for effective weight loss and maintenance strategies. Dr Johnson highlighted that many individuals with obesity cannot access medical or surgical treatments, so effective commercial weight reduction programmes could help reduce the burden on public healthcare systems.
