Does adaptive thermogenesis occur after weight loss in adults? A systematic review
Open accessAbstract
Adaptive thermogenesis (AT) has been proposed to be a compensatory response that may resist weight loss (WL) and promote weight regain. This systematic review examined the existence of AT in adults after a period of negative energy balance (EB) with or without a weight stabilisation phase. Studies published until 15 May 2020 were identified from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria included statistically significant WL, observational with follow-up or experimental studies, age > 18y, sample size ≥10 participants, intervention period ≥ 1week, published in English, objective measures of total daily energy expenditure (EE) (TDEE), resting EE (REE) and sleeping EE(SEE). The systematic review was registered at PROSPERO (2020 CRD42020165348). A total of thirty-three studies comprising 2528 participants were included. AT was observed in twenty-seven studies. Twenty-three studies showed significant values for AT for REE (82·8 %), four for TDEE (80·0 %) and two for SEE (100 %). A large heterogeneity in the methods used to quantify AT and between subjects and among studies regarding the magnitude of WL and/or of AT was reported. Well-designed studies reported lower or non-significant values for AT. These findings suggest that although WL may lead to AT in some of the EE components, these values may be small or non-statistically significant when higher-quality methodological designs are used. Furthermore, AT seems to be attenuated, or non-existent, after periods of weight stabilisation/neutral EB. More high-quality studies are warranted not only to disclose the existence of AT but also to understand its clinical implications on weight management outcomes.
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Metabolic adaptation has been proposed as one factor that may hinder long-term weight loss maintenance.
“Metabolic adaptation, defined as a reduction in total energy expenditure that exceeds the decrease predicted from the loss of fat and fat free mass, has been proposed as one of the factors that may hinder long-term weight loss maintenance [60].”
From Dietary and Behavioral Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance: A Narrative Review (2025) · cites this paper as [60]
In some investigations, higher physical activity was associated with greater reductions in total energy expenditure during weight loss, although this association was not consistently observed across all studies.
“In some investigations, higher physical activity was associated with greater reductions in total energy expenditure during weight loss, although this association was not consistently observed across all studies [60].”
From Dietary and Behavioral Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance: A Narrative Review (2025) · cites this paper as [60]
A systematic review reported that the extent of metabolic adaptation varies and depends, among other factors, on the degree of energy deficit and participants' body composition.
“A systematic review reported that the extent of metabolic adaptation varies and depends, among other factors, on the degree of energy deficit and participants body composition [60].”
From Dietary and Behavioral Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance: A Narrative Review (2025) · cites this paper as [60]
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References 71 · Cited by 44
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Elia M. Organ and tissue contribution to metabolic rate In: Kinney JM, Tucker HN, editors. Energy metabolism: Tissue determinants and cellular corollaries. New York: Raven Press; 1992.
- Authors
- Nunes, C. L., Casanova, N., Francisco, R., Bosy-Westphal, A., Hopkins, M., Sardinha, L. B., & Silva, A. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Leeds (GB)
- University of Lisbon (PT)
- Corresponding author
- Silva, Analiza M.
- Venue
- British Journal of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2021-03-25
- Volume
- 127
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 451-469
- ISSN
- 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-2662
- OpenAlex
- W3138230320
- Cited by
- 44
- References
- 71
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 0.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Locations
- British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- adaptive thermogenesis, weight loss, energy balance, resting energy expenditure, total energy expenditure, sleep energy expenditure, weight regain, energy expenditure measurement, weight management
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Obesity, Rest, Weight Loss, Thermogenesis
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