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Dieting: Does It Really Lower Your Metabolic Rate?

by Christian Finn    

Assuming the "slow metabolism" theory holds true, formerly-obese individuals should have a lower metabolic rate than their never-obese counterparts.

Here are the combined results of 15 studies comparing the two groups:

Group - Daily metabolic rate
--------------------------------
Never-obese - 1494 calories

Formerly-obese - 1451 calories

Difference - 43 calories

Although the formerly-obese group did have a slower metabolism, it was reduced by less than 50 calories per day. Which, if you're wondering, is the equivalent to just one quarter of a Snickers bar.

Not a lot, is it?

That's not to say that your metabolic rate isn't lower while you're ON a diet -- because it is. The controversy centers around what happens AFTER you finish dieting. After all, it's a widely held belief that long-term dieting permanently slows your metabolism.

However, the research group were able to find just four studies showing a slowed metabolism in formerly-obese subjects -- 13 papers reported no significant difference between formerly-obese and never-obese individuals.

So what was responsible for the slightly lower metabolic rate?

Scientists haven't decided yet. They're not sure if it's down to "faulty" genetics or some other (as yet unexplained) adaptation to weight loss. But the bottom line is that long-term dieting has only a minor effect on your metabolic rate.

Reference

Astrup, A., Gotzsche, P.C., van de Werken, K., Ranneries, C., Toubro, S., Raben, A., & Buemann, B. (1999). Meta-analysis of resting metabolic rate in formerly obese subjects. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69, 1117-1122


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Christian Finn writes about tested and proven information you can use to get better results faster from the time you invest in your exercise and diet program. To subscribe to his free weekly newsletter, send a blank e-mail to: subscribe@thefactsaboutfitne