Some risk markers improved in lifestyle-trial participants who did not lose weight
Participants who maintained or gained weight showed favourable changes in some measurements from baseline. These results concern risk markers in trial completers, with no demonstrated reduction in clinical events.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Participants classified as successful at weight loss had the greatest improvements in multiple health indicators. Those who maintained or gained weight also improved on some blood markers and visceral fat. These patterns do not prove that lifestyle changes caused benefits independently of weight loss, and the abstract does not report fewer clinical events.
The analysis covered trial completers, grouped by achieved weight change. Participants were predominantly men. The abstract reports risk markers, limiting conclusions about clinical outcomes.
What researchers found
Imaging-assessed visceral fat
Among participants who maintained or gained weight, versus baseline after 18 or 24 months; statistically significant, with no change magnitude given.
Weight response defined the groups
Participants were grouped by how their weight changed during the trials. These categories describe responses rather than randomly assigned treatments, so differences between people may also help explain the observed marker changes.
Measurements and clinical outcomes
Researchers assessed blood markers, body measurements, and fat deposits using imaging. Improvements in these measurements describe changes in risk markers; they do not demonstrate fewer heart attacks or other clinical events.
The original publication
Individual response to lifestyle interventions: a pooled analysis of three long-term weight loss trials.
Yaskolka Meir A, Tsaban G, Rinott E et al.
Eur J Prev Cardiol · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40472282
- Record checked
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