The DOI matches its Crossref record; 121 of the 121 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Systematic review of long-term weight loss studies in obese adults: clinical significance and applicability to clinical practice
Abstract
Background Obesity is a common health problem that requires a long-term care approach. We systematically reviewed long-term (> or =2 y) studies investigating dietary/lifestyle, pharmacologic, and surgical weight loss methods to assess (1) weight loss efficacy, defined by absolute weight loss and the proportion of subjects with > or =5% weight loss, (2) effects of weight loss on cardiovascular risk factors, and (3) applicability of findings from studies to everyday clinical practice.Methods The MEDLINE, HealthSTAR, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials databases were searched for studies investigating the long-term efficacy of weight loss methods in overweight and obese adults. Data were extracted for (i) weight loss after 1 y (pharmacologic studies only), 2 y, 3 y, and 4 y, (ii) proportion of subjects with > or =5% weight loss at the end of follow-up, and (iii) changes (end-of follow-up minus baseline values) in blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.Results Dietary/lifestyle therapy provides <5 kg weight loss after 2-4 y, pharmacologic therapy provides 5-10 kg weight loss after 1-2 y, and surgical therapy provides 25-75 kg weight loss after 2-4 y. Weight loss of > or =5% baseline weight is not consistently associated with improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and these benefits appear to be intervention specific and occur mainly in people with concomitant cardiovascular risk factors. Weight loss studies have methodologic limitations that restrict the applicability of findings to unselected obese people assessed in everyday clinical practice. These limitations include an inadequate study duration, large proportions of subjects lost to follow-up, a lack of an appropriate usual care group, and a lack of reporting of outcomes in high-risk subgroups.Conclusions Dietary/lifestyle and pharmacologic weight loss interventions provide modest weight loss, and may improve markers of cardiovascular risk factors although these benefits occur mainly in patients with cardiovascular risks. Studies investigating weight loss have methodologic limitations that restrict the applicability of findings to obese patients assessed in clinical practice.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Finally, our findings pertain to an initial weight loss intervention phase and do not provide information related to the more difficult stage of weight loss maintenance [50].”
From A qualitative evaluation of a group phone-based weight loss intervention for rural breast cancer survivors: Themes and mechanisms of success (2016) · cites this paper as [50]
In the citing paper
“Aerobic exercise can reduce weight and BP, but when exercise is the only intervention, weight losses are small, with an estimated change of 1.6 kg in moderate-intensity programs continued for 6 to 12 months.124,139,140”
From Obesity‐Related Hypertension: Pathogenesis, Cardiovascular Risk, and Treatment: A Position Paper of The Obesity Society and the American Society of Hypertension (2013) · cites this paper as [140]
In the citing paper
“An average attrition rate of 21% is typical in lifestyle interventions for weight loss [27], in a recent review of long term weight loss studies in obese adults losses to follow-up typically between 30–60% were reported [32].”
From The Internet for weight control in an obese sample: results of a randomised controlled trial (2007) · cites this paper as [32]
Citations
Cites
1 retracted
Dieting to reduce body weight for controlling hypertension in adults
Mulrow, C. D., Chiquette, E., Angel, L., Cornell, J., Summerbell, C. D., Anagnostelis, B., Brand, M., & Grimm, R. H. (1998) · Nursing Times · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd000484 · Cited by 70
RetractedMeta-analysis in clinical trials
DerSimonian, R., & Laird, N. (1986) · Controlled Clinical Trials · doi:10.1016/0197-2456(86)90046-2 · Cited by 39,552
Statistical methods for rates and proportions
Fleiss, J., Levin, B., & Paik, M. (1973) · Biometrics · doi:10.2307/2529186 · Cited by 21,632
Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin
(2002) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmoa012512 · Cited by 19,011
Tuomilehto, J., Lindström, J., Eriksson, J. G., Valle, T. T., Hämäläinen, H., Ilanne-Parikka, P., Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi, S., Laakso, M., Louheranta, A., Rastas, M., et al. (2001) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm200105033441801 · Cited by 10,873
(1998) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e565682010-001 · Cited by 9,453
Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999–2000
Flegal, K. M. (2002) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.288.14.1723 · Cited by 6,190
Moher, D., Cook, D. J., Eastwood, S., Olkin, I., Rennie, D., & Stroup, D. F. (1999) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(99)04149-5 · Cited by 4,826
The Spread of the Obesity Epidemic in the United States, 1991-1998
Mokdad, A. H. (1999) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.282.16.1519 · Cited by 2,384
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Collins R, MacMahon S . Blood pressure, antihypertensive drug treatment on vascular disease: reappraisal of the evidence in 1994. J Vasc Med Biol 1994; 50: 272–298.
- ACP Journal Club: purpose and procedures. Available at http://www.acpjc.org/shared/purpose and procedure.htm Accessed December 2003.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 601–662 of 662
Rehabilitación de sobrecarga ponderal por obesidad
Villiot-Danger, J.-C. (2021) · EMC - Kinesiterapia - Medicina Física · doi:10.1016/s1293-2965(20)44600-6
Sena, G. D. (2021) · Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research · doi:10.26717/bjstr.2021.33.005346
Karandish, M., Sheikhi, L., Latifi, S. M., & Davoudi, I. (2021) · Obesity Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.obmed.2021.100338 · Cited by 1
Peper, F. E. (2014) · Evidencia actualizacion en la práctica ambulatoria · doi:10.51987/evidencia.v17i3.6230
Edwards, C. H., Vie, G. Å., & Edwards, C. H. (2021) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-701491/v1
Brunaldi, V. (2021) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/t.5.2021.tde-11082021-130350
Sheikhi, L., Karandish, M., Latifi, S. M., & Davoudi, I. (2021) · International Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_420_19
Physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Woodward, A. (2021) · Sheffield Hallam University · doi:10.7190/shu-thesis-00398
[Consolidation treatment. The status in dysthymia].
Hardy, P. (1995) · PubMed
Costs, Pathology, and Health Risks of Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome
(2007) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59745-431-5_3
(2011) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/b10790-15
Brown, W. A., & Martin, D. (2022) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119695257.ch22
Lifestyle Interventions for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Maniar, S., & Bittner, V. (2014) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-37393-0_54-1
Galuska, D. A., & Blanck, H. M. (2016) · American Public Health Association eBooks · doi:10.2105/9780875532783ch11
Bray, G. A. (2010) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-6189-2.00006-8
Obesity: Its Relationship with Cardiovascular Disease and Management
Rieger, E. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-287-206-7_56
Gardner, C. D. (2012) · International Journal of Obesity Supplements · doi:10.1038/ijosup.2012.1
(2019) · British Journal of Cardiology · doi:10.5837/bjc.2019.021
Body mass variability is represented by distinct functional connectivity patternsPreprint
Sadler, J. R., Shearrer, G. E., & Burger, K. S. (2018) · doi:10.31232/osf.io/b9ahw
Psychosocial interventions for the maintenance of weight loss in obese adults
Milner, P., Hams, S. P., Markandya, A., Shaw, S., & Blackmore, S. (2008) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007153
Retracted(2007) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59745-431-5_6
Behiry, S., Matarese, L. E., & Kandil, H. M. (2015) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/b18833-14
Behiry, S., Matarese, L. E., & Kandil, H. M. (2017) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/9781315100913-14
Pharmacology of Anti-Obesity Medications: Current Status and Future Needs
Clements, J. N. (2023) · Medical Research Archives · doi:10.18103/mra.v11i6.3849
Bonsu, I. M., Brandt, C., Ajidahun, A. T., Omoniyi, M., & Myezwa, H. (2023) · Women s Health · doi:10.1177/17455057231184508
Endoscopic Methods in Obesity Treatment
Ergin, A., & Şahan, C. (2024) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.1004427
Holmberg, S., Lendahls, L., & Alle, K.-Å. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0303021
Verhaltenstherapie und weitere psychotherapeutische Strategien
Skoda, E., & Teufel, M. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-58895-6_39
Jobanputra, A. M., Kesavarapu, K., Naik, S., Ramagopal, M., Scharf, M. T., & Jagpal, S. K. (2024) · Pediatric Pulmonology · doi:10.1002/ppul.27163
Predictive factors of weight loss in obese patients referred to an obesity specialized centre
Guittière, M.-O., Pabic, E. L., Zayani, T., Som, M., & Thibault, R. (2024) · Clinical Nutrition ESPEN · doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.08.020 · Cited by 1
A Proposed Cost-Benefit Analysis of Adult EFNEP Utilizing Biomarkers of Chronic Disease Risk
Leschewski, A., Pierce, S. J., Aragón, M. C., Baker, S., Udahogora, M., Pybus, K., Duffy, N. O., Roe, A. J., & Sankavaram, K. (2024) · Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2024.07.008 · Cited by 1
Current Deficiencies In Schedule Y
Shanthi, P., Radhika, D., Nagasree, K. P., & Shravankumar, K. (2024) · International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research · doi:10.61096/ijamscr.v12.iss4.2024.429-435
Román, D. D. L., Jáuregui, O. I., Primo, D., & Gómez, J. J. L. (2025) · Nutrición Hospitalaria · doi:10.20960/nh.05716
Effects of Asprosin and FGF21 on Weight Loss and Glucose Metabolism Following Sleeve Gastrectomy
Türker, A. S., Gündüz, U. R., Aykal, G., Dincer, A., Özkan, H., Çelik, Ö., & Aydın, M. A. (2025) · Indian Journal of Surgery · doi:10.1007/s12262-025-04356-2
Leonhard, A. G., Coggeshall, S. S., Gleason, E., Collins, M. P., Barjaktarević, I., Bascom, R., Bon, J. M., Comellas, A. P., Diaz, P. T., Hanania, N. A., et al. (2025) · Annals of the American Thoracic Society · doi:10.1513/annalsats.202504-410oc
Influence of Habitual Physical Activity and Acute Exercise on Lipid Metabolism and Insulin Action.
Nelson, R. K. (2013) · Deep Blue (University of Michigan)
BASELINE TRAITS AS PREDICTORS OF SUCCESS IN MEDICAL WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Bayer, L. A. (2015) · University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy (University of Minnesota)
McConnon, Á., Kirk, S. F., Cockroft, J. E., Harvey, E. L., Greenwood, D. C., Thomas, J. D., Ransley, J. K., & Bojke, L. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15079819
McConnon, Á., Kirk, S. F., Cockroft, J. E., Harvey, E. L., Greenwood, D. C., Thomas, J. D., Ransley, J. K., & Bojke, L. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15079813
Lu, S., Wang, Q., Lu, H., Kuang, M., Zhang, M., 盛国太, Zou, Y., & Peng, X. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26718735
McConnon, Á., Kirk, S. F., Cockroft, J. E., Harvey, E. L., Greenwood, D. C., Thomas, J. D., Ransley, J. K., & Bojke, L. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15079816
Edwards, C. H., Vie, G. Å., & Kinge, J. M. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.19425066
Tarantino, G., & Finelli, C. (2014) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-407869-7.00007-6
Disentangling the effects of food processing from those of diet quality
Matthiessen, L. E., Rosane, B. P., Mosig, L., Ahrné, L., Magkos, F., & Bügel, S. (2026) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2025.12.007
La importancia de la Psicología en el tratamiento de la obesidad
Álvarez, L. (2026) · Psic-Obesidad · doi:10.22201/fesz.20075502e.2025.15.58.94870
Development of the Occupational Therapy Health Routines Screening Tool: A Participatory Study
Muntefering, C., Larsen, M., Brinkman, A., Fan, C.-W., Marchioni, M., Reaume, C. D., Urish, C. K., Williams, J., Andreae, S. J., Christensen, J. R., et al. (2026) · OTJR Occupational Therapy Journal of Research · doi:10.1177/15394492251409672
Popescu, S., & Ionescu, A. (2023) · Annals of Pharmacy Education Safety and Public Health Advocacy · doi:10.51847/kbbmhebthm
Effets bénéfiques de l’activité physique dans le syndrome d’apnées-hypopnées obstructives du sommeil
Berger, M. (2018) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/d3531801z859dz425eza023zb8d6d34cfb64
Effectiveness of a smartphone-assisted weight loss program in women: a retrospective study
Kravchuk, S., & Bychkov, M. A. (2026) · GASTROENTEROLOGY · doi:10.22141/2308-2097.60.1.2026.715
Triebel, L.-C., Godemann, J., & Yildiz, J. (2026) · Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung · doi:10.1007/s11553-026-01319-7
Wallentowitz, L., García, M. G., Atorrasagasti, C., Harms, C., Huhn, E. A., Roser, P., Verlohren, S., Giesen, E. M., & Blois, S. M. (2026) · Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders · doi:10.1007/s11154-026-10053-6 · Cited by 3
de Luis, D., Izaola, O., Primo, D., Bigues, D. R., & Lopez-Gomez, J. J. (2026) · Nutrición Hospitalaria · doi:10.20960/nh.06455
Talebloo, J., Chawla, E., Shahamati, D., Shiv, S., & Gadde, K. M. (2026) · Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs · doi:10.1080/13543784.2026.2713043
Chacko, S. R., Yu, K., Fell, V., Powell, C., Ndovu, B., Rosenberg, R., Ferreira, E. Y., Saini, J., Nevin, S., Larson, J. J., et al. (2026) · EClinicalMedicine · doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104210
Gordofobia y obesidad: todo mal. La influencia del sesgo en la concepción del cuerpo gordo
Amat, M. S. (2026) · FMC - Formación Médica Continuada en Atención Primaria · doi:10.1016/j.fmc.2026.03.004
Outcomes of a randomized-controlled digital weight management program over 2.5-years
Sysko, R., Bibeau, J., Wolk, S., Bernstein, S., Chen, X., & Hildebrandt, T. (2026) · Obesity Research & Clinical Practice · doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2026.10.004
Dietary manipulation and weight management
Tan, S. (2010) · Research Online (University of Wollongong)
Self-Compassion and Mindfulness Differentially Predict Eating Behaviors Among Emerging Adults
Braun, T. D. (2015) · OpenCommons - UConn (University of Connecticut)
Metadata
- Authors
- Douketis, J. D., Macie, C., Thabane, L., & Williamson, D. F.
- Affiliations
- McMaster University (CA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
- Corresponding author
- Douketis, J D
- Venue
- International Journal of Obesity
- Published
- 2005-07-05
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1153-1167
- ISSN
- 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5497
- OpenAlex
- W2050986291
- Cited by
- 665
- References
- 121
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 42 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 55 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 39
- FWCI
- 4.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- obesity, long-term weight loss, weight loss efficacy, bariatric surgery, cardiovascular risk factors, serum lipids, blood glucose, blood pressure, overweight adults
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diet, Reducing, Female, Humans, Life Style, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Weight Loss, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Anti-Obesity Agents
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review