Abstract

We studied sixteen contestants from season 8 of the The Biggest Loser and measured changes in total energy expenditure, resting metabolic rate, and body composition over the course of a 7 month competition. The study participants lost almost 40% of their starting body weight bringing them from morbid obesity to just at upper edge of the overweight category according to BMI. We found that participants were able to preserve their lean tissue mass through vigorous exercise, despite massive overall weight loss. The participants also experienced substantial improvements in their metabolic health. The study found that the contestants metabolism slowed quickly and disproportionately to their weight loss and this adaptation impeded the rate of weight loss and may predispose this group to regaining weight following the competition.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIADK075076-01
Application #
8553665
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$171,022
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code

  Publications

Hall, Kevin D (2018) Metabolic Adaptations to Weight Loss. Obesity (Silver Spring) 26:790-791
Kerns, Jennifer C; Guo, Juen; Fothergill, Erin et al. (2017) Increased Physical Activity Associated with Less Weight Regain Six Years After ""The Biggest Loser"" Competition. Obesity (Silver Spring) 25:1838-1843
Hall, Kevin D; Kerns, Jennifer C; Brychta, Robert et al. (2016) Response to ""Overstated metabolic adaptation after 'The Biggest Loser' intervention"". Obesity (Silver Spring) :
Fothergill, Erin; Guo, Juen; Howard, Lilian et al. (2016) Persistent metabolic adaptation 6 years after ""The Biggest Loser"" competition. Obesity (Silver Spring) 24:1612-9
Knuth, Nicolas D; Johannsen, Darcy L; Tamboli, Robyn A et al. (2014) Metabolic adaptation following massive weight loss is related to the degree of energy imbalance and changes in circulating leptin. Obesity (Silver Spring) 22:2563-9
Hall, Kevin D (2013) Diet versus exercise in ""the biggest loser"" weight loss competition. Obesity (Silver Spring) 21:957-9
Johannsen, Darcy L; Knuth, Nicolas D; Huizenga, Robert et al. (2012) Metabolic slowing with massive weight loss despite preservation of fat-free mass. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 97:2489-96