Physical Activity and Dietary Determinants of Weight Loss Success in the US General Population

I studied lifestyle behaviors of long-term weight losers in a nationally representative sample.

I categorized the dietary and physical activity data of 8012 adults from the 2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys into (1) long-term weight losers (≥ 10% loss for ≥ 1 year), (2) recent weight losers (≥ 10% loss within past year), and (3) overweight or obese individuals who never lost 10% or more of their weight.

Long-term weight losers consumed fewer calories (2072; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2011, 2134 kcal vs 2211; 95% CI = 2173, 2249 kcal; P < .001) and were more likely to report any vigorous leisure activity (24.5% vs 20.3%; P = .027) than did overweight or obese individuals. Among those engaging in vigorous leisure activity, long-term weight losers reported a greater quantity (188; 95% CI = 159, 223 min × wk(-1) vs 156; 95% CI = 142, 172 min × wk(-1); P = .047). Recent weight losers did not differ from overweight or obese individuals on absolute calorie intake but reported less fat (79; 95% CI = 75, 83 g vs 84; 95% CI = 82, 86 g; P = .016) and more activity.

Balanced calorie restriction from all macronutrients and physical activity are important behaviors for successful long-term weight loss in the general population.