Effects of gradual weight loss v. rapid weight loss on body composition and RMR: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Issue 11 (14th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ashtary-Larky, Damoon; Bagheri, Reza; Abbasnezhad, Amir; Tinsley, Grant M.; Alipour, Meysam; Wong, Alexei
• Is Part Of: British journal of nutrition. Volume 124:Issue 11(2020)
• Page Start: 1121
• Page End: 1132
• Publication Date: 2020-12-14
• Subjects: Weight loss, -- Obesity, -- Fat-free mass, -- Fat mass, -- Diet, -- Body composition, -- RMR; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 572.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S000711452000224X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1145

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the effects of different rates of weight loss (WL), but equivalent total WL, on body composition and RMR. Studies examining gradual v . rapid WL on body composition and RMR in participants with overweight/obesity published up to October 2019 were identified through PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus and Ovid databases. Meta-analysis was carried out using a fixed or random effects model as appropriate. Although the magnitude of WL was similar (mean difference 0·03 kg, 95 % CI –0·65, 0·71), gradual WL promoted greater reductions in fat mass (FM) (–1 kg, 95 % CI –1·70, –0·29) and body fat percentage (BFP) (–0·83 %, 95 % CI –1·49, –0·17). Gradual WL significantly preserved RMR compared with rapid WL (407·48 kJ, 95 % CI 76·76, 118·01). However, there was no significant difference in waist and hip circumferences, waist:hip ratio and fat-free mass (FFM) between gradual and rapid WL. The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicates beneficial effects of gradual WL, as compared with rapid WL, on FM, BFP and RMR in individuals with overweight/obesity. However, FFM changes and anthropometric indices did not significantly differ following different rates of WL.