Effects of rapid or slow weight loss on body composition and metabolic risk factors in obese postmenopausal women. A pilot study

To compare the effect of rapid or slow weight loss (WL) on body composition and metabolic risk factors following a caloric restriction. Ten obese, postmenopausal women were matched for total body WL. Dependent variables were: body composition, lipid profile and blood pressure. Both groups decreased obesity measures (all P ⩽ 0.05) while lean body mass decreased in the rapid WL group (P ⩽ 0.05). Significant improvements in fasting triglyceride level and diastolic blood pressure were observed only in the slow WL group. A slower WL seems to be more beneficial to improve body composition as well as metabolic risk factors in postmenopausal women.

► Slow weight loss is associated with better preservation of lean body mass.
► Slow weight loss is associated with greater decreases in fat mass.
► Slow weight loss better improves the metabolic profile.