According to a new study, people who shed pounds quickly achieve more significant weight loss results than those who lose them gradually, and are more likely to keep it off for a longer period of time.
The new study published at the European Congress on Obesity primarily determines the impact of a rapid weight loss program compared to a gradual one.
In the 16-week rapid weight loss program, participants were limited to 1,000 calories in weeks one through eight, and 13,000 calories in weeks nine through 12, and 15,000 calories in weeks 13 through 16.
However, the research team made it clear that greater rapid weight loss was observed during the initial 16-week program than in the gradual weight loss group.
In this regard, the authors of this study said: “These findings indicate that, when delivered within a controlled and professionally supervised setting, rapid weight loss may be a more effective method than gradual weight loss for achieving important body weight goals associated with reduced obesity-related health risks.”
Conversely, lead author Dr. Line Kristin Johnson said: “Our results clearly challenge the prevailing belief that slow and steady gradual weight loss is necessary to prevent weight gain and reduce obesity-related complications.
“In contrast, we show that rapid weight loss is not associated with weight gain, and, more importantly, that a greater proportion of participants undergo rapid weight loss – compared to gradual weight loss.”
The study results showed that because many people with obesity do not have access to medical treatments, commercial weight loss plans help reduce the growing burden on public health care systems.
Notably, the findings challenged the long-standing belief that gradual weight loss is necessary to prevent later weight gain.
