Repeated cycles of losing and regaining weight, often referred to as yo-yo dieting, may not pose as significant a health risk as previously understood, according to new research. For years, this pattern of weight fluctuation has been considered a potential health hazard, with some past studies linking it to muscle loss, diabetes, and heart disease.
However, a study published by scientists at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark suggests these perceived harms are "significantly overblown." Researchers posit that many prior studies may have conflated weight loss due to dieting with weight loss resulting from illness, such as cancer, which could skew the findings.
The new research indicates that while some health benefits achieved through weight loss may diminish upon regaining the weight, this does not necessarily render individuals less healthy than they were before embarking on the diet.
Experts cited in the study suggest that these findings could encourage individuals to pursue weight loss without the overwhelming fear of subsequent weight regain. In the UK, where approximately two-thirds of adults are classified as overweight or obese, many individuals have faced challenges in maintaining weight loss. A 2018 survey indicated that the average Briton attempts and fails 189 diets in their lifetime, with over half of those who diet failing to keep the weight off.
Concerns have also been raised in recent years regarding weight-loss medications, such as Wegovy, which are effective only while being taken. Studies suggest that up to two-thirds of patients regain all or more of their lost weight after discontinuing the medication.
Despite these challenges, the researchers behind the latest study, published in The Lancet, maintain that attempting to lose weight is still a worthwhile endeavor. "Many people refrain from trying to lose weight because they fear that subsequent weight regain may harm the body," said Professor Faidon Magkos, a nutrition expert at the University of Copenhagen. "Our review indicates that these concerns are largely unfounded. In most cases, the benefits of weight loss outweigh the potential risks of later weight regain."