Energy balance
Achieving a weight loss of ≥5% is clinically meaningful for improving cardiometabolic risk factors and is the threshold for FDA approval of anti-obesity medications, though greater losses (≥10-15%) are required for remission of conditions like type 2 diabetes and NASH.
Aim for a 5% weight loss as a primary, achievable goal to significantly improve your heart health and metabolic markers. If you have specific conditions like Type 2 Diabetes or NASH, discuss with your doctor if a higher target (10-15%) is needed for remission, but do not let the higher target discourage you from starting with the 5% goal, which brings substantial health benefits.
Numerous studies have shown that weight loss of ≥5% results in significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors associated with obesity; this degree of weight loss is also required for the approval of novel anti-obesity medications by the US Food and and Drug Administration. However, some obesity-related comorbidities and complications, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease and remission of type 2 diabetes, require a greater magnitude of weight loss to achieve clinically meaningful improvements.
Why this rating
Based on a narrative review citing multiple clinical trials and FDA guidelines.
Source
What is clinically relevant weight loss for your patients and how can it be achieved? A narrative review
Deborah B. Horn et al. · Postgraduate Medicine · 2022
DOI 10.1080/00325481.2022.2051366
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
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