NEW YORK—The best way to successfully lose weight may be to do it quickly, as findings from a University of Florida study indicate both short- and long-term advantages to fast initial weight loss versus a gradual approach in obese women (Int J Behav Med. 2010 May 5). Researchers found Fast weight losers obtained greater weight reduction and long-term maintenance, and were not more susceptible to weight regain than gradual weight losers.
Study groups were drawn from participants in the Treatment of Obesity in Underserved Rural Settings (TOURS) trial, which included 262 middle-aged (mean = 59.3 years) obese women (mean BMI = 36.8) who received a six-month lifestyle intervention followed by a one-year extended care program involving contact twice a month in the form of group sessions, telephone contact or newsletters. Participants were encouraged to reduce caloric intake to achieve weight losses of 0.45 kg/week. Groups were categorized as "FAST" (>/=0.68 kg/week, n = 69), "MODERATE" (>/=0.23 and <0.68 kg/week, n = 104) and "SLOW" (<0.23 kg/week, n = 89) based on rate of weight loss during first month of treatment
The FAST, MODERATE and SLOW groups differed significantly in mean weight changes in the initial months. Women in the FAST group lost over 0.68kg per week; those in the MODERATE group lost between 0.23 and 0.68kg per week; women in the SLOW group lost less than 0.23kg per week in that first month. At six months, the FAST, MODERATE and SLOW groups also differed significantly in mean weight changes (-13.5, -8.9, and -5.1 kg, respectively, P<0.001), and the FAST and SLOW groups differed significantly at 18 months (-10.9, -7.1 and -3.7 kg, respectively, P<0.001). No significant group differences were found in weight regain between six and 18 months (2.6, 1.8 and 1.3 kg, respectively, P<0.9). The FAST and MODERATE groups were 5.1 and 2.7 times more likely to achieve 10-percent weight losses at 18 months than the SLOW group.
Researchers found long-term advantages to fast initial weight loss. Fast-weight losers lost more weight overall, maintained their weight loss for longer and were not more likely to put weight back on than the more gradual weight losers. The authors concluded: “We suggest, within lifestyle weight control programs, substantial efforts should be focused on promoting large rather than small behavioral changes during the initial weeks of treatment.”