Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025

A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
Published on: April 28, 2023
Metabolic adaptation delays time to reach weight loss goals
Catia Martins1,2,3, Barbara A Gower3, Gary R Hunter3
1Obesity Research Group, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine whether metabolic adaptation, at the level of resting metabolic rate, was associated with time to reach weight loss goals, after adjusting for confounders.
Methods:
A total of 65 premenopausal women with overweight (BMI: 28.6 ± 1.5 kg/m2 ; age: 36.4 ± 5.9 years; 36 were White, and 29 were Black) followed an 800-kcal/d diet until BMI ≤25 kg/m2 . Body weight and composition were measured at baseline and after weight loss. Dietary adherence was calculated from total energy expenditure, determined by double labeled water, and body composition changes. Metabolic adaptation was defined as a significantly lower measured versus predicted resting metabolic rate (from own regression model). A regression model to predict time to reach weight loss goals was developed including target weight loss, energy deficit, dietary adherence, and metabolic adaptation as predictors.
Results:
Participants lost on average 12.5 ± 3.1 kg (16.1% ± 3.4%) over 155.1 ± 49.2 days. Average dietary adherence was 63.6% ± 31.0%. There was significant metabolic adaptation after weight loss (-46 ± 113 kcal/d, p = 0.002) and this variable was a significant predictor of time to reach weight loss goals (β = -0.1, p = 0.041), even after adjusting for confounders (R2 adjusted = 0.63, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
In premenopausal women with overweight, metabolic adaptation after a 16% weight loss increases the length of time necessary to achieve weight loss goals.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation
Metabolic Rate
The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) measures the energy expended at rest.
Several factors influence...
Metabolic States of the Body: The Absorptive State

