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• Posted May 18, 2026

Rapid Weight Loss Beats Slow and Steady in New Clinical Trial

When it comes to weight loss, is slow and steady really the winning strategy? Or could a rapid drop actually lead to better long-term results?

New research presented in Istanbul last week at the European Congress on Obesity is challenging the long-held belief that losing weight too quickly leads to rebound weight gain.

In this 52-week randomized clinical trial, researchers followed 284 adults with obesity who were assigned to either a rapid or gradual weight-loss program.

During the first 16 weeks, the rapid weight-loss group followed a structured low-calorie plan starting at under 1,000 calories per day, increasing step-by-step to about 1,500 calories daily. The gradual group reduced intake more moderately, averaging around 1,400 calories per day.

After that, both groups entered the same 36-week weight-regain prevention program with coaching and ongoing support.

The result? 

Those in the rapid weight-loss group lost nearly 13% of their body weight in the first 16 weeks, compared to just over 8% in the gradual group.

A year later, they still maintained significantly greater weight loss overall and were much more likely to hit clinically meaningful targets linked to lower risks of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoarthritis.

"Our results clearly challenge the prevailing belief that slow and steady gradual weight loss is necessary to prevent weight regain and reduce obesity-related complications," said Line Kristin Johnson, of the Vestfold Hospital Trust in Tønsberg, Norway. 

She said the urgent need for weight-loss and weight-maintenance strategies make the findings particularly relevant.

"As many individuals with obesity cannot access or afford medical or surgical treatments, our results support the potential of effective, commercially available weight-reduction programs to help reduce the growing burden on public healthcare systems," she said in a news release.

Research presented at meetings is typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on steps for losing weight.

SOURCE: HealthDay TV, May 18, 2026