Research

Energy balance

Sustainable, high-quality weight loss requires combining appetite suppression with moderate increases in energy expenditure and preservation of lean mass, rather than focusing solely on absolute weight reduction.

To lose weight sustainably, do not just focus on eating less. Prioritize strategies that protect your muscle mass (like resistance training and adequate protein) and support your metabolism. Modern treatments should ideally combine appetite control with mechanisms that prevent metabolic slowdown. The goal is to lose fat while keeping your lean tissue, which helps you maintain the weight loss long-term.

GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
We endorse moderate modulation of energy expenditure and preservation of lean mass in combination with efficient appetite reduction as a means of obtaining a significant, safe, and long-lasting weight loss.
Berit Østergaard Christoffersen et al. · Obesity · 2022

Why this rating

This is a review paper synthesizing multiple clinical trials and physiological studies; while not a single RCT, it aggregates high-quality evidence.

Source

Beyond appetite regulation: Targeting energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and lean mass preservation for sustainable weight loss

Berit Østergaard Christoffersen et al. · Obesity · 2022

DOI 10.1002/oby.23374

narrative_reviewCited 128×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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