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Protein-Rich Diets for Weight Loss Maintenance

  • Metabolism (M Dalamaga, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Obesity Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

High-protein diets in the management of obesity have been around for many years and have been rigorously tested for their ability to induce weight loss. Comparably less is known about their effects on the maintenance of lost weight.

Recent Findings

Several small and a few large randomized trials have evaluated the efficacy of high-protein diets (20–35% of calories from protein; 1.2–1.9 g/kg∙day) compared with normal-protein diets (10–20% of calories from protein; 0.8–1.3 g/kg∙day), consumed mostly ad libitum during weight loss maintenance, i.e., after clinically significant weight loss. Most of these studies indicate that weight regain in the short term (3–12 months) is lower by 1–2 kg with high-protein diets than low-protein diets. This effect is attenuated with longer periods of observation, likely because of decreasing dietary compliance.

Summary

In line with findings during the active weight loss phase, studies assessing the efficacy of protein-rich diets to improve weight loss maintenance report beneficial effects in the short term, which nevertheless dissipate over time.

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  1. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports/Obesity Research, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Faidon Magkos

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Magkos, F. Protein-Rich Diets for Weight Loss Maintenance. Curr Obes Rep 9, 213–218 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00391-0

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