Scientists talked about the yo-yo effect on weight loss

Repeated attempts to lose weight and subsequent weight gain can have different consequences depending on the initial state of the body. According to the new analysis, for obese people, such fluctuations do not necessarily carry an additional long-term risk, whereas for people of normal weight they may increase the likelihood of developing obesity. About why the consequences of repeated diets may vary, see the Izvestia article.

The yo-yo effect depends on the initial weight

This is the conclusion reached by researchers at the German Diabetes Research Center Norbert Stefan and Phaidon Magkos from the University of Copenhagen. Their analysis is published in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology (NRE). The researchers examined the effects of repeated cycles of weight loss and recovery, a phenomenon known as the yo—yo effect. Previously, it was assumed that such fluctuations could contribute to further weight gain and increase the risk of associated metabolic disorders.

However, the authors came to a more ambiguous conclusion: what matters is whether a person was initially of normal weight or obese. In obese people, repeated cycles of weight loss and weight gain are reported to have little or no additional negative impact on body weight and its composition in the long term. In people with normal weight, especially those with a predisposition to obesity, the consequences may be different.

Why Repeated Diets can Change Body Composition

A possible explanation has to do with what tissues the body loses when losing weight and regains after gaining weight. With a significant decrease in body weight, people with normal weight can lose relatively more lean mass, which includes muscle tissue, than obese people.

In addition, they have a greater reduction in energy consumption at rest. When the weight returns, a disproportionate part of the gain may be in adipose tissue. If the cycle repeats, it potentially increases the long-term risk of developing obesity in people with a corresponding predisposition.

According to the authors, weight fluctuations can be influenced not only by a partially hereditary predisposition, but also by social factors, such as ideals of thinness and fear of obesity.

A terrible force: Extreme thinness has replaced the body positive.

The endocrinologist named the main negative aspects of body weight deficiency

Weight loss medications have increased the urgency of the issue

The authors believe that the topic has gained additional relevance against the background of the proliferation of effective weight loss products. Norbert Stefan drew attention to the fact that people with normal weight or a small excess of it are also trying to obtain such products outside of approved indications, for example, for cosmetic reasons, or in the hope of improving their health in the long term.

Therefore, it is important for people without pronounced excess weight who are otherwise metabolically healthy to carefully assess the possible consequences of such attempts. When prescribing weight loss medications, the authors emphasize, doctors should compare the potential benefits and possible risks.

Fear of the yo-yo effect should not interfere with weight loss in obesity

For obese people, the analysis has an important conclusion: concerns about the possible yo-yo effect alone should not be a reason to give up trying to lose weight. According to the authors, there is currently insufficient data to assert that repeated attempts to lose weight with pre-existing obesity further worsen long-term weight dynamics.

For people with normal weight, the situation may be different. Repeated diets followed by weight gain are potentially unfavorable in the long run, especially if a person has a genetic or other predisposition to obesity. Therefore, the authors consider it important to inform such people about the possible risks of unnecessary attempts to lose weight.

At the same time, the researchers emphasize that their assumption needs to be verified in further work. In particular, future research should directly compare the long-term effects of repeated weight loss and recovery in people with and without obesity.