Study: Gradual weight loss no better than rapid weight loss.

Forbes (10/15, Husten) reports that according to a study of 204 obese adults published in the journal Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, there is “no support” to the belief that weight is “likely to stay lost if it is the product of a rapid weight loss.” Rather, the study found that, “although long-term weight loss remains elusive regardless of the diet, short-term weight loss is actually more likely with rapid weight loss.”

        HealthDay (10/16, Preidt) reports the Australian study “found that whether you opt for a “crash” diet or something a bit slower, the rate at which you shed excess pounds has no bearing on whether or not those pounds will come back.” The article points out that currently guidelines suggest that “slow and steady weight loss” is believed to be “more likely than rapid weight loss to help people keep their weight under control.”

        The Telegraph (UK) (10/16, Knapton) reports half of the participants “were encouraged to lose 12.5 per cent of body weight within 12 weeks, and half who were allowed 36 weeks. The researchers found that eight out of 10 people assigned to the rapid weight loss programme achieved their goal compared with just 50 per cent of the steady dieters.”