Individuals who lose weight are less at risk of developing type 2 diabetes or experiencing a heart attack, even if they end up putting some back on, a new study reveals.
Research conducted by Oxford University has discovered that people who lose weight will experience positive health outcomes up to five years after their initial weight loss.
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During the study, the team of academics examined the health outcomes of 50,000 middle-aged adults who were formally classified as obese and now have lost on average between five and 10 pounds of weight. Participants either lost weight through an intensive or a less intensive weight loss programme.
The findings show that the people who joined the intensive weight loss programme were less likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes compared to those who completed a less intense weight loss programme.
Lead author Professor Susan Jebb said: “For people with overweight or obesity issues, losing weight is an effective way to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“Our findings should provide reassurance that weight loss programmes are effective in controlling cardiovascular risk factors and very likely to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease.”
The study was publshed in the American Heart Association journal.
