Intentional Weight Loss & Mortality

[Guest guest]

I posted the one article ealrier on how yo-yo dieting, if done with healthy

choices, does not increase morbididty or mortality.

here is another two (maybe you have seen them) looking at intentional weight

loss and mortality,.

While they all show increased mortality with " intentional " weight loss, as does

most of the data i see, they dont discuss " rate " of loss, or longevity, which is

the question. Does rapid intentional loss cause more harm, and how does

intentional weight loss effect longevity?

Cheers

jeff

Intentional weight loss and death in overweight and obese U.S. adults 35 years

of age and older.

Gregg EW, Gerzoff RB, TJ, on DF.

Ann Intern Med. 2003 Mar 4;138(5):383-9.

Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention

and Health Promotion, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770

Buford Highway NE, Mailstop K-10, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. edg7@...

BACKGROUND: Although weight loss improves risk factors for cardiovascular and

metabolic disease, it is unclear whether intentional weight loss reduces

mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships among intention to lose

weight, weight loss, and all-cause mortality. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study

using a probability sample of the U.S. population. SETTING:

Interviewer-administered survey. PARTICIPANTS: 6391 overweight and obese persons

(body mass index > or = 25 kg/m2) who were at least 35 years of age.

MEASUREMENTS: Intention to lose weight and weight change during the past year

were assessed by self-report in 1989. Vital status was followed for 9 years.

Hazard rate ratios (HRRs) were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, education,

smoking, health status, health care utilization, and initial body mass index.

RESULTS: Compared with persons not trying to lose weight and reporting no weight

change, those reporting intentional weight loss had a 24% lower mortality rate

(HRR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.60 to 0.97]) and those with unintentional weight loss had

a 31% higher mortality rate (HRR, 1.31 [CI, 1.01 to 1.70]). However, mortality

rates were lower in persons who reported trying to lose weight than those in not

trying to lose weight, independent of actual weight change. Compared with

persons not trying to lose weight and reporting no weight change, persons trying

to lose weight had the following HRRs: no weight change, 0.80 (CI, 0.65 to

0.99); gained weight, 0.94 (CI, 0.65 to 1.37); and lost weight, 0.76 (CI, 0.60

to 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Attempted weight loss is associated with lower all-cause

mortality, independent of weight change. Self-reported intentional weight loss

is associated with lower mortality rates, and weight loss is associated with

higher mortality rates only if it is unintentional.

Diabetes Care. 2004 Mar;27(3):657-62. Related Articles, Links

Trying to lose weight, losing weight, and 9-year mortality in overweight U.S.

adults with diabetes.

Gregg EW, Gerzoff RB, TJ, on DF.

Division of Diabetes Translation, the National Center for Chronic Disease

Prevention and Health Promotion Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. edg7@...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between

intention to lose weight, actual weight loss, and all-cause mortality among

overweight individuals with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed

a prospective analysis among 1,401 overweight diabetic adults aged > or =35

years sampled in the National Health Interview Survey. The previous year

intention to lose weight and weight change were assessed by self-report.

Nine-year mortality rates were examined according to intent to lose weight and

weight loss, which were adjusted for age, sex, education, ethnicity, smoking,

initial body weight, and diabetes complications. RESULTS: Individuals trying to

lose weight had a 23% lower mortality rate (hazard rate ratio [hrR] 0.77, 95% CI

0.61-0.99) than those who reported not trying to lose weight. This association

was as strong for those who failed to lose weight (0.72, 0.55-0.96) as for those

who succeeded in losing weight (0.83, 0.63-1.08). Trying to lose weight was

beneficial for overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) individuals (0.62, 0.46-0.83) but

not for obese (BMI>30) individuals (1.17, 0.72-1.92). Overall weight loss,

without regard to intent, was associated with an increase of 22% (1.22,

0.99-1.50) in the mortality rate. This increase was largely explained by

unintentional weight loss, which was associated with a 58% (1.58, 1.08-2.31)

higher mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight diabetic adults trying to lose

weight have a reduced risk of all-cause mortality, independent of whether they

lose weight. Actual weight loss is associated with increased mortality only if

the weight loss is unintentional.