Impact of weight loss and weight gain trajectories on body composition in a population at high risk of type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort analysis

AimIn a primary care population at high risk of type 2 diabetes, 24‐month weight change trajectories were used to investigate the impact of weight cycling on fat mass (FM) and fat‐free mass (FFM).Materials and MethodsCohort data from the Walking Away from Type 2 Diabetes trial was used, which recruited adults at‐risk of type 2 diabetes from primary care in 2009/10. Annual weight change trajectories based on weight loss/gain of ≥5% were assessed over two 24‐month periods. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Repeated measures were analysed using generalized estimating equations with participants contributing up to two 24‐month observation periods.ResultsIn total, 622 participants were included (average age = 63.6 years, body mass index = 32.0 kg/m2, 35.4% women), contributing 1163 observations. Most observations (69.2%) were from those that maintained their body weight, with no change to FM or FFM. A minority (4.6% of observations) lost over 5% of body weight between baseline and 12 months, which was then regained between 12 and 24 months. These individuals regained FM to baseline levels, but lost 1.50 (0.66, 2.35) kg FFM, adjusted for confounders. In contrast, those that gained weight between baseline and 12 months but lost weight between 12 and 24 months (5.5% of observations) had a net gain in FM of 1.70 (0.27, 3.12) kg with no change to FFM.ConclusionWeight cycling may be associated with a progressive loss in FFM and/or gain in FM in those with overweight and obesity at‐risk of type 2 diabetes.