Persistent metabolic adaptation 6 years after "The Biggest Loser" competition.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To measure long-term changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition in participants of "The Biggest Loser" competition. METHODS:Body composition was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and RMR was determined by indirect calorimetry at baseline, at the end of the 30-week competition and 6 years later. Metabolic adaptation was defined as the residual RMR after adjusting for changes in body composition and age. RESULTS:Of the 16 "Biggest Loser" competitors originally investigated, 14 participated in this follow-up study. Weight loss at the end of the competition was (mean?±?SD) 58.3?±?24.9 kg (P < 0.0001), and RMR decreased by 610?±?483 kcal/day (P = 0.0004). After 6 years, 41.0?±?31.3 kg of the lost weight was regained (P = 0.0002), while RMR was 704?±?427 kcal/day below baseline (P < 0.0001) and metabolic adaptation was -499?±?207 kcal/day (P < 0.0001). Weight regain was not significantly correlated with metabolic adaptation at the competition's end (r?=?-0.1, P = 0.75), but those subjects maintaining greater weight loss at 6 years also experienced greater concurrent metabolic slowing (r = 0.59, P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS:Metabolic adaptation persists over time and is likely a proportional, but incomplete, response to contemporaneous efforts to reduce body weight.

SUBMITTER: Fothergill E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4989512 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature