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Effects of weight cycling on the resting energy expenditure and body composition of obese women
Author(s) -
Wadden Thomas A.,
Foster Gary D.,
Stunkard Albert J.,
Conill Alicia M.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199601)19:1<5::aid-eat2>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - cycling , weight loss , resting energy expenditure , zoology , composition (language) , body weight , obesity , medicine , fat mass , endocrinology , fat free mass , chemistry , biology , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , history
Objective Numerous reports have suggested that cycles of weight loss and regain (i.e., weight cycling) are associated with adverse health consequences, a concern that may lead some obese individuals to forgo weight control efforts. The present study examined whether weight cycling was associated with a reduction in resting energy expenditure (REE) and with increases in both total and upper body fat. Method: REE, body composition, and body fat distribution were measured before and after weight loss, and following full weight regain, in 12 women who before treatment had a mean (±SEM) age of 38.8 ± 3.4 years and weight of 98.0 ± 3.2 kg. Results: At the end of treatment, patients lost 18.9 ± 2.6 kg which was comprised of significant decreases in body fat and fat‐free mass of 15.2 ± 2.2 and 3.7 ± 0.8 kg, respectively (both ps < .001). REE also fell during this time from 1,631 ± 82 to 1,501 ± 51 kcal/d (p < .03). All of these measures, however, returned to their baseline values when patients regained their lost weight. Body fat distribution was unchanged throughout the study. Discussion: These results do not support claims that weight cycling adversely affects REE, body composition, or body fat distribution. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.