We studied contestants from The Biggest Loser weight loss competition as well as patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery and measured changes in resting metabolic rate, and body composition over time. We compared these groups and found that the vigorous exercise performed by The Biggest Loser contestants led to preservation of lean tissue mass despite similar weight loss to patients who had bypass surgery. Both groups exhibited metabolic slowing following weight loss that was out of proportion to their body composition change. Furthermore, this metabolic adaptation was found to be correlated with the degree of energy imbalance as well as the changes in the blood levels of the hormone leptin.

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
U.S. National Inst Diabetes/Digst/Kidney
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code
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