Persistent Metabolic Adaptation 6 Years After The Biggest Loser Competition

Objective: To measure long-term changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition in participants of The Biggest Loser competition. Methods: Body composition was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and RMR was determined by indirect calorimetry at baseline, at the end of the 30-week competition and 6 years later. Metabolic adaptation was defined as the residual RMR after adjusting for changes in body composition and age. Results: Of the 16 Biggest Loser competitors originally investigated, 14 participated in this follow-up study. Weight loss at the end of the competition was (mean +/- SD) 58.3 +/- 24.9 kg (P < 0.0001), and RMR decreased by 610 +/- 483 kcal/day (P = 0.0004). After 6 years, 41.0 +/- 31.3 kg of the lost weight was regained (P = 0.0002), while RMR was 704 +/- 427 kcal/day below baseline (P < 0.0001) and metabolic adaptation was -499 +/- 207 kcal/day (P < 0.0001). Weight regain was not significantly correlated with metabolic adaptation at the competition's end (r = 20.1, P = 0.75), but those subjects maintaining greater weight loss at 6 years also experienced greater concurrent metabolic slowing (r = 0.59, P = 0.025). Conclusions: Metabolic adaptation persists over time and is likely a proportional, but incomplete, response to contemporaneous efforts to reduce body weight.