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Weight Loading and Weight Loss

Can increased loading encourage weight loss in people who are obese?

Weight loss

Could the concept of homeostasis be applied to weight and body fat? Swedish researchers from the University of Gothenburg wanted to learn whether carrying a weighted load throughout the day would reduce body weight and fat mass in people with obesity. Prior research had demonstrated these outcomes in rodents.

Seventy-two adult men and women ages 18–70 were randomly assigned to wear either a high-load vest (11% of body weight) or a low-load vest (1% of body weight) 8 hours per day for 3 weeks. Body weight loss (relative change after 3 weeks) was significant in the high-load group (both men and women), but not in the low-load group. Weight loss was due to a decrease in fat mass; fat-free mass did not change.

Investigators think these preliminary findings provide proof of concept of a homeostatic effect in body-weight regulation—the gravitostat. Limitations of the study included its short duration.

The study appeared in EClinicalMedicine (2020; doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100338).

 

See also: Loaded Movement Training


Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA

Shirley Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.

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