Obesity continues to be a major challenge, nationally and globally; the prevalence of obesity in the United States is higher than in any other country.1 Obesity brings several risk factors, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, PCOS, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and many more. However, co-morbid conditions and even the mortality rate can be decreased with minimal to moderate weight loss. Better still, for most co-morbid conditions, the greater the weight loss, the greater the improvement!
Let's look at a few co-morbid conditions and show that even a little weight loss can make a difference. On everyone's weight loss journey, seeing and celebrating non-scale victories is just as important.
| Weight loss | Improvements seen in research2 |
|---|---|
| 2–5% | Fasting glucose and HbA1c (type 2 diabetes); triglycerides and systolic blood pressure |
| 5–10% | HDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure |
| 6.7% | 58% lower incidence of type 2 diabetes |
| At least 10 kg | Improvement in obstructive sleep apnoea |
Weight loss effects on type 2 diabetes
Losing weight can help prevent and improve type 2 diabetes. Two different studies showed that even a modest 6.7% weight reduction decreased the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 58%, and diabetes incidence was reduced across all races, sexes, ages and levels of obesity.2 Whoever you are, losing even a little weight can help you prevent type 2 diabetes.
The Look AHEAD study followed over 5,000 people with type 2 diabetes and examined their weight loss and its effects on their diabetes. Even participants with less than 5% weight loss (but at least 2%) saw improvements in fasting glucose and haemoglobin A1c, and the greater the weight loss, the better the outcomes. Notably, these improvements came while participants DECREASED their diabetes medication as needed.2
Effects of weight loss on cardiovascular disease risks
The Look AHEAD study also showed benefits beyond type 2 diabetes. For cardiovascular risk, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure (the first number in a blood pressure reading) started to improve with 2–5% weight loss. HDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure (the second number) began to improve with 5–10% weight loss. All these risk factors continued to improve as weight loss continued.2
Weight loss effects on obstructive sleep apnoea
Weight loss needs to be a little more substantial to improve obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but it is still achievable. Interestingly, even with a little weight regain, OSA remained in remission for some participants.2 The Look AHEAD study included a sub-study called Sleep AHEAD, which compared sleep apnoea changes after an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) with diabetes support and education. An ILI includes at least 6 months of high-intensity, comprehensive lifestyle intervention, consisting of a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity and behaviour therapy.3 At the 1-year mark, remission of OSA was 3 times more common in the ILI group. A weight loss of at least 10 kg was needed to see an improvement in OSA.
More conditions
These are just a few co-morbid conditions improved by minimal to moderate weight loss. There is also data showing improvements in PCOS, osteoarthritis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), depression, urinary stress incontinence and many more! It is never too late to pursue weight loss, and do not be discouraged by minimal weight loss – even those few kilos are improving your health from the inside out.
Sources
- Mechanick JI. AACE/TOS/ASMBS/OMA/ASA 2019 Guidelines. Endocrine Practice. 2019;25(12). doi:10.4158/GL-2019-0406.GL
- Ryan DH, Yockey SR. (2017). Weight loss and improvement in comorbidity: differences at 5%, 10%, 15% and over. Curr Obes Rep, 6(2), 187-194. doi:10.1007/s13679-017-0262-y
- Webb VL, Wadden TA. (2017). Intensive lifestyle intervention for obesity: principles, practices, and results. Gastroenterology, 152(7), 1752-1764. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.01.045
This article is for general information only and does not replace personal medical advice. Always discuss your situation, blood test results and supplementation with your bariatric team or healthcare provider.