Associations between weight loss history and factors related to type 2 diabetes risk in the Stop Diabetes study

Abstract

Background Frequent weight loss attempts are related to maladaptive eating behaviours and higher body mass index (BMI). We studied associations of several type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk factors with weight loss history, defined as the frequency of prior weight loss attempts, among Finnish adults at increased risk for T2D. Methods This study (n = 2684, 80% women) is a secondary analysis of the 1-year StopDia lifestyle intervention with digital intervention group, digital intervention + face-to-face counselling group, or control group. The frequency of prior weight loss attempts was categorized into five groups: no attempts/no attempts to lose weight, but trying to keep weight stable/1–2 attempts/3 or more attempts/ continuous attempts. Data on emotional eating and social/emotional nutrition self-efficacy were collected with a digital questionnaire. We assessed baseline differences between categories of weight loss history as well as the intervention effects. Results Altogether 84% of participants had attempted weight loss. Those with one or more weight loss attempts had higher BMI, larger waist circumference, and more emotional eating compared to ‘no attempts’ and ‘no attempts to lose weight, but trying to keep weight stable’ categories. The ‘no attempts’ category had the highest baseline fasting insulin, whereas it showed the largest decrease in this measure with the intervention. This change in fasting insulin in the ‘no attempts’ category was significantly different from all the other categories. Emotional nutrition self-efficacy slightly improved in the ‘no attempts’ category, which was significantly different from its concomitant decrease in the categories ‘1-2 attempts’ and ‘3 or more attempts’. The intervention group assignment did not affect the results. Conclusions Multiple attempts to lose weight may unfavourably affect T2D risk factors as well as lifestyle intervention outcomes. More research is needed on how weight loss frequency could affect T2D risk factors and how to design lifestyle interventions for individuals with frequent previous weight loss attempts.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with weight‐loss attempts and perception of overweight independent of BMI: a population‐based cohort study

“…A qualitative report indicates that women with PCOS find weight loss to be a difficult goal, and they lack motivation due to the history of failed weight-loss attempts [34]. Consequently, previous insufficient weight-loss attempts can have detrimental effects on body image, self-esteem, eating [34], and future lifestyle modification outcomes [12]. Given the negative consequences of failed weight-loss attempts, the need for a weight-neutral approach has been brought up [34,35].…”

“…It is estimated that 40% of adults in the general population have tried to lose weight at some point during the past 5 years [11], although history of weight-loss attempts has been found to be associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk factors [12]. In PCOS, weight loss of 5% to 10% and weight management are the primary treatment modalities according to the international PCOS guideline [13] because weight loss has been shown to improve clinical features and metabolic and reproductive outcomes [14].…”

S-allyl cysteine and Taurine attenuate diabetic nephropathy in rats via the inhibition of oxidative stress and recovering histopathological changes

“…Diabetes patients' bodies are unable to transport blood glucose for utilization as energy by their cells because of low insulin levels. When this happens, the body begins utilizing both adipose and muscular tissues as a source of fuel, which initiates to a decrease in total body weight (Halali et al ., 2022). Weight loss is a general characteristic of diabetes progression and could be considered an indirect index of consequences.…”

Association between distinct body mass index trajectories according to the group‐based trajectory modeling and the risk of incident diabetes: A systematic review

“…This finding could partially explain the trajectory of BMI loss owing to muscle loss, which may increase the risk of diabetes. Available evidence suggests that weight maintenance rather than weight loss is a better treatment option for older adults 58 …”

“…Available evidence suggests that weight maintenance rather than weight loss is a better treatment option for older adults. 58…”