Abstract
Obesity, dieting, and weight cycling are common among reproductive-age women. Weight
cycling refers to intentional weight loss followed by unintentional weight regain.
Weight loss is accompanied by changes in gut peptides, adipose hormones, and energy
expenditure that promote weight regain to a tightly regulated set point. While weight
loss can improve body composition and surrogate markers of cardiometabolic health,
it is hypothesized that the weight regain can result in an overshoot effect, resulting
in excess weight gain, altered body composition, and negative effects on surrogate
markers of cardiometabolic health. Numerous observational studies have examined the
association of weight cycling and health outcomes. There appears to be modest association
between weight cycling with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia in women, but
no association with hypertension, cardiovascular events, and overall cancer risk.
Interestingly, mild weight cycling may be associated with a decreased risk of overall
and cardiovascular mortality. Little is known about the effects of weight cycling
in the preconception period. Although obesity and weight gain are associated with
pregnancy complications, preconception weight loss does not appear to mitigate the
risk of most pregnancy complications related to obesity. Research on preconception
weight cycling may provide insight into this paradox.
Keywords
weight cycling - yo-yo dieting - women - reproductive outcome - diabetes
