Mixed
High maximal fat oxidation (MFO) is associated with successful long-term weight loss maintenance, but the underlying mechanism differs from that in individuals who regain weight despite having similarly high MFO.
If you are trying to maintain weight loss, simply having a high capacity to burn fat isn't enough if your body is overloaded with lipids. Successful maintainers typically have higher cardiovascular fitness (V˙ O2max) and better muscle lipid handling proteins (CD36, FABPpm) compared to those who regain weight, who may have high fat oxidation simply because they have more fat available to burn. Focus on building fitness and muscle health rather than just chasing fat oxidation numbers.
CWL and WR both had higher MFO compared with MWL, but based on different mechanisms. CWL displayed higher V˙ O2max and intramuscular capacity for fat oxidation, whereas abundance of lipids at whole-body level and in plasma was higher in WR.
Why this rating
Long-term follow-up (>4 years) of a large cohort (n=80) from a specific lifestyle intervention, with rigorous biochemical and metabolic measurements.
Source
Influence of maximal fat oxidation on long-term weight loss maintenance in humans
Sune Dandanell et al. · Journal of Applied Physiology · 2017
DOI 10.1152/japplphysiol.00270.2017
Related findings · Mixed
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