Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health

Objective. To determine if the rate of weight loss (WL) is associated with metabolic changes independent of the absolute WL. Methods. WL and health changes were assessed in 11,281 patients attending a publicly funded clinical weight management program over a treatment period of 12.7 months. Early weight loss rate (WLR) in the first 3–6 months and overall WLR were categorized as Fast WLR (≥1 kg/wk), Recommended WLR (0.5 to 0.9 kg/wk), or Slow WLR (0.05). Conversely, the absolute WL sustained is significantly associated with changes in metabolic health independent of WLR (P