The importance of modest weight loss

The importance of modest weight loss

When thinking about weight-loss, one often has an “ideal” body weight in mind or an ultimate weight-loss goal.

However, Modest Weight Loss Is Expected to Confer Health Benefits for Individuals with Obesity

Weight-loss has been associated with

Significant improvements in cardio-metabolic risk factors1

HbA1C (glycated haemoglobin), Fasting glucose, Blood pressure, Triglycerides, HDL cholesterol

Improvement or remission in diabetes, lipid disorder and hypertension2

Improvements in obesity-associated comorbidities and quality of life domains3,4

Reduced risk of diabetes5

Significant improvements in pulmonary function6

 

A proven health benefit can be reached if 5%-15% weight loss is achieved from an individual. This goal can be accomplished within 6 months. However for individuals with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, a greater weight loss may be considered (20% or more) so as to confer benefits for the health. Maintenance of weight loss is one of the two main criteria for success. The other is the prevention and the treatment of comorbidities.7

HbA1c = glycated haemoglobin, HDL= high-density lipoprotein.

References

1. Wing RR et al. Diabetes Care. 2011;34:1481-1486.

2. Courcoulas AP et al. JAMA. 2013;310:2416-2425.

3. Hassan MK et al. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003;27:1227-1232.

4. Sarwer DB et al. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2015;23:504-508.

5. Hamman RF et al. Diabetes Care. 2006;29:2102-2107.

6. Held M et al. PLoS One. 2014;9:e107480.

7. Yumuk V. et al. Obes Facts 2015;8:402–424.

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