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Determinants of weight loss maintenance: a systematic review

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Varkevisser, R. D. M., van Stralen, M. M., Kroeze, W., Ket, J. C. F., Steenhuis, I. H. M.·2019·Obesity Reviews
DOI 10.1111/obr.12772PMC PMC7416131
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Abstract

Summary: Background: Discerning the determinants of weight loss maintenance is important in the planning of future interventions and policies regarding overweight and obesity. We have therefore systematically synthesized recent literature on determinants of weight loss maintenance for individuals with overweight and obesity. Methods: With the use of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement, prospective studies were identified from searches in PubMed and PsycINFO from 2006 to 2016. We included articles investigating adults with overweight and obesity undergoing weight loss without surgery or medication. Included articles were scored on their methodological quality, and a best‐evidence synthesis was applied to summarize the results. Results: Our search resulted in 8,222 articles of which 67 articles were selected. In total, 124 determinants were identified of which 5 were demographic, 59 were behavioural, 51 were psychological/cognitive and 9 were social and physical environmental determinants. We found consistent evidence that demographic determinants were not predictive of weight loss maintenance. Behavioural and cognitive determinants that promote a reduction in energy intake, an increase in energy expenditure and monitoring of this balance are predictive determinants. Conclusion: This review identifies key determinants in weight loss maintenance. However, more research regarding cognitive and environmental determinants of weight loss maintenance is needed to advance our knowledge on determinants of weight loss maintenance.

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  • Frequent self-weighing improves weight loss and weight loss maintenance.

    “Frequent self-weighing improves weight loss and weight loss maintenance.5,67,68”

    From Obesity Management in Adults (2023) · cites this paper as [67]

    The Results (page unavailable) report that more frequent self-weighing was associated with better weight-loss maintenance and less regain in several studies. They do not establish that self-weighing causes improvement, or that it improves initial weight loss; one study found no association with maintenance. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Weight loss typically plateaus after 6 months due to metabolic adaptation and hormonal changes contributing to decreased adherence, but metabolic adaptation usually slows after 12 months.

    “Weight loss typically plateaus after 6 months due to metabolic adaption and hormonal changes contributing to decreased adherence, but metabolic adaptation usually slows after 12 months.18,67”

    From Obesity Management in Adults (2023) · cites this paper as [67]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) says maximal weight loss is generally achieved at six months, supporting the timing of the claimed plateau. The cited paper does not attribute that pattern to metabolic adaptation or hormonal changes causing decreased adherence, and it does not say metabolic adaptation slows after 12 months; searches for those terms and the 12-month assertion found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In longitudinal observational studies, people who successfully maintain weight loss often use behavioral strategies such as physical activity, regular self-weighing, a reduced-calorie diet, and a consistent eating pattern.

    “In longitudinal observational studies, people who successfully maintain weight often use behavioral strategies, such as physical activity, regular self-weighing,67 a reduced-calorie diet, and a consistent eating pattern.124,125”

    From Obesity Management in Adults (2023) · cites this paper as [67]

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Varkevisser, R. D. M., van Stralen, M. M., Kroeze, W., Ket, J. C. F., & Steenhuis, I. H. M.
Affiliations
  • Amsterdam Public Health (NL)
  • Faculty of Science, Department of Health Sciences and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
ORCID
Venue
Obesity Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2018-10-16
Volume
20
Issue
2
Pages
171-211
ISSN
  • 1467-7881 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-789X
DOI
10.1111/obr.12772
PMC
PMC7416131
OpenAlex
W2896241287
Cited by
295
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 31 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 53 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 2
FWCI
3.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Obesity Reviews (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • VU Research Portal (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (451‐16‐018)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
Keywords
weight loss maintenance, obesity, overweight, energy intake, energy expenditure, behavioural determinants, non-surgical weight loss
MeSH terms
Humans, Life Style, Obesity, Weight Loss, Exercise

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