Weight cycling linked to increased muscle mass loss

A study published in the journal Radiology, reported by Harvard Medical School, suggests that frequent weight cycling, often referred to as ‘yo-yo dieting’, may lead to greater loss of muscle mass.

The four-year observational study tracked 1,433 individuals with an average age of 61 and a mean body mass index (BMI) of approximately 28. While all participants experienced some loss of muscle mass in their thighs due to aging, those who experienced significant weight fluctuations lost substantially more than those with stable weights.

Specifically, participants with fluctuating weights lost approximately 3.7% of their thigh muscle mass, whereas those who maintained a stable weight lost only about 1%. Researchers note that as an observational study, these findings indicate a correlation rather than direct causation.