Issue 146 Item 2 Even Attempted Weight Loss Reduces Mortality

Attempts at loss weight, whether successful or not, may reduce the risk of death. According to a report published in the March 4th issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Although many health risks have been linked with being overweight, the effect of weight loss on long-term health outcomes and longevity has been unclear, lead author Dr. Edward W. Gregg and colleagues, from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, note. Furthermore, most of the studies that have looked at the effect on mortality rates have not assessed intentional weight loss.

Dr. Gregg’s team evaluated findings from a study of 6391 overweight and obese adults living in the US in 1989. Intention to lose weight and recent weight change were determined by self-reports. The subjects were then followed for 9 years.

Subjects who reported intentional weight loss were 24% less likely to die than subjects who did not try to lose weight and did not lose weight. In contrast, unintentional weight loss was associated with a 31% higher mortality in subjects who were not trying to lose weight.

Still, the researchers found that persons who attempted to lose weight, regardless of actual success, were less likely to die than were their peers who did not even attempt to lose weight. In fact, persons who attempted to lose weight, but actually gained weight, were slightly less likely to die than persons who were not trying to lose weight and did not lose weight.

The findings indicate that intent plays a key role in determining whether weight loss will be beneficial, the authors note.

However, the results leave several issues unresolved, the investigators point out. “Our results do no fully clarify the issue of whether greater intentional weight loss confers greater benefits,” they note. “Also, important questions about the effect of weight loss intent, weight loss, and weight gain on mortality unanswered, including the attributes of those who reported attempting to lose weight.” Ann Intern Med 2003;138:383-389.