Macro partitioning
To preserve skeletal muscle mass during obesity treatment with obesity medications (OMs) or caloric restriction, patients should consume 0.8 g/kg/day of high-quality protein (minimum 60-80 g/day), with higher requirements (1.0-1.5 g/kg/day) for older adults and those with chronic diseases.
If you are losing weight with medication or diet, prioritize protein. Aim for 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of your body weight daily, or at least 60-80 grams. If you are older or have chronic health conditions, aim higher (1.0-1.5 g/kg). Combine this with resistance exercise to protect your muscle.
Some lean mass can be lost during weight reduction... individuals should aim to consume 0.8 g/day of protein per kilogram of body weight or at least 60 to 80 g/day of high-quality protein... Older adults also have higher protein requirements and should aim for a dietary intake of 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg protein per day and patients with chronic disease require 1.2 to 1.5 g/kg of protein daily
Why this rating
The paper cites broad guidelines and reviews rather than a single definitive RCT for this specific population, noting 'broad recommendations' and 'lack of evidence describing changes in physical activity'.
Source
Evolution of multidisciplinary obesity treatments: past, present, and future role of nutrition
Steven B. Heymsfield et al. · Obesity · 2025
DOI 10.1002/oby.24340
More from this paper
- Obesity medications (OMs) such as semaglutide and tirzepatide cause significant weight loss but also result in lean mass loss, necessitating targeted nutritional and exercise interventions to preserve skeletal muscle.Good
- Supplementation with β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) may preserve fat-free mass and increase muscle strength in individuals undergoing weight reduction, although robust evidence in obesity patients is lacking.Limited
Related findings · Macro partitioning
- Total daily protein intake of 1.6 g/kg/day is sufficient for maximizing resistance training-induced muscle gains, with an upper confidence interval of 2.2 g/kg/day.Strong
- Resistance exercise training combined with sufficient dietary protein intake acts synergistically to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy, with protein intake saturating around 1.6 g/kg/day for general populations and potentially requiring 2.0-2.2 g/kg/day for resistance-trained individuals.Strong
- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
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