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The Physiological Effects of Weight-Cycling: A Review of Current Evidence

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

There is a common perception among the public that yo-yo dieting, defined as repeated cycles of weight loss followed by weight regain, results in accumulation of fat in the body and lower metabolic rate, thus hindering subsequent attempts to lose weight. We evaluated the effects of weight-cycling on body weight and body mass index (BMI), body composition including fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM), and resting metabolic rate (RMR), by systematically reviewing existing scientific literature.

Recent Findings

Twenty-three cross-sectional and cohort studies (including subjects with a history of weight-cycling compared to those without such history) and interventional studies (evaluating physiological effects during one or more cycles of weight loss and regain) were identified, conducted in generally healthy adults across various age groups, races, and both genders, who had normal weight, overweight, or obesity. Eighteen studies investigated the association between weight-cycling and body weight or BMI, and thirteen of them found no significant association. Fifteen out of twenty studies also found no increase in FM, and none of eighteen studies found a decrease in LBM. Twelve out of fourteen studies reported no adverse changes in RMR either.

Summary

The overwhelming majority of evidence suggests that weight-cycling (yo-yo effect) is not associated with any adverse effects in body weight, body composition, and metabolic rate. Accordingly, healthy individuals who struggle with overweight or obesity should not be discouraged from repeated attempts to lose the excess weight.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

FM:

Fat mass

LBM:

Lean body mass

RMR:

Resting metabolic rate

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Author notes

  1. Nora Sanaya and Monika Janusaite contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Nora Sanaya, Monika Janusaite & Faidon Magkos

  2. Department of Biological Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece

    Maria Dalamaga

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N.S. and M.J. drafted the manuscript text and tables; N.S., M.J. and F.M. created the figures; M.D. critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content; all authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Faidon Magkos.

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Sanaya, N., Janusaite, M., Dalamaga, M. et al. The Physiological Effects of Weight-Cycling: A Review of Current Evidence. Curr Obes Rep 13, 35–50 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-023-00539-8

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