Metabolic adaptation is not observed after 8 weeks of overfeeding but energy expenditure variability is associated with weight recovery
- PMID: 31204775
- PMCID: PMC6766445
- DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz108
Metabolic adaptation is not observed after 8 weeks of overfeeding but energy expenditure variability is associated with weight recovery
Abstract
Background: A metabolic adaptation, defined as an increase in energy expenditure (EE) beyond what is expected with weight gain during overfeeding (OF), has been reported but also refuted. Much of the inconsistency stems from the difficulty in conducting large, well-controlled OF studies in humans.
Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether a metabolic adaptation to OF exists and if so, attenuates weight gain.
Methods: Thirty-five young adults consumed 40% above their baseline energy requirements for 8 wk, and sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) and 24-h sedentary energy expenditure (24h-EE) were measured before and after OF. Subjects were asked to return for a 6-mo post-OF follow-up visit to measure body weight, body composition, and physical activity.
Results: After adjusting for gains in fat-free mass and fat mass, SMR increased by 43 ± 123 kcal/d more than expected (P = 0.05) and 24h-EE by 23 ± 139 kcal/d (P = 0.34), indicating an overall lack of metabolic adaptation during OF despite a wide variability in the response. Among the 30 subjects who returned for the 6-mo follow-up visit, those who had a lower-than-predicted SMR (basal EE) retained more of the fat gained during OF. Likewise, subjects displaying a higher-than-predicted sedentary 24h-EE lost significantly more fat during the 6-mo follow-up.
Conclusions: Metabolic adaptation to OF was on average very small but variable between subjects, revealing "thrifty" or "spendthrift" metabolic phenotypes related to body weight loss 6 mo later. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01672632.
Keywords: dietary-induced thermogenesis; energy expenditure; luxuskonsumption; metabolic adaptation; overfeeding; respiratory chamber; sleeping metabolic rate; spendthrift phenotype; thrifty phenotype; weight gain.
Copyright © American Society for Nutrition 2019.
Figures
![FIGURE 1](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/6766445/bin/nqz108fig1.gif)
![FIGURE 2](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/6766445/bin/nqz108fig2.gif)
![FIGURE 3](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/6766445/bin/nqz108fig3.gif)
Comment in
-
Physical activity and body-weight regulation.Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Oct 1;110(4):791-792. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz132. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019. PMID: 31268134 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
-
Response to "Metabolic adaptation is not observed after 8 weeks of overfeeding but energy expenditure variability is associated with weight recovery".Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Dec 1;110(6):1513. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz249. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019. PMID: 31788693 No abstract available.
-
Reply to B Halpern.Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Dec 1;110(6):1514. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz248. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019. PMID: 31788695 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
Similar articles
-
Metabolic response to fasting predicts weight gain during low-protein overfeeding in lean men: further evidence for spendthrift and thrifty metabolic phenotypes.Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Sep 1;110(3):593-604. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz062. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019. PMID: 31172178 Free PMC article.
-
Effect of protein overfeeding on energy expenditure measured in a metabolic chamber.Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Mar;101(3):496-505. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.091769. Epub 2015 Jan 14. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015. PMID: 25733634 Clinical Trial.
-
Reduced adaptive thermogenesis during acute protein-imbalanced overfeeding is a metabolic hallmark of the human thrifty phenotype.Am J Clin Nutr. 2021 Oct 4;114(4):1396-1407. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab209. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021. PMID: 34225360 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
-
Energy expenditure in the etiology of human obesity: spendthrift and thrifty metabolic phenotypes and energy-sensing mechanisms.J Endocrinol Invest. 2018 Jan;41(1):83-89. doi: 10.1007/s40618-017-0732-9. Epub 2017 Jul 24. J Endocrinol Invest. 2018. PMID: 28741280 Free PMC article. Review.
-
What is the effect of diet and/or exercise interventions on behavioural compensation in non-exercise physical activity and related energy expenditure of free-living adults? A systematic review.Br J Nutr. 2018 Jun;119(12):1327-1345. doi: 10.1017/S000711451800096X. Br J Nutr. 2018. PMID: 29845903 Review.
Cited by
-
MAFLD: an ideal framework for understanding disease phenotype in individuals of normal weight.Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2024 May 27;15:20420188241252543. doi: 10.1177/20420188241252543. eCollection 2024. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2024. PMID: 38808010 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Obesity history, physical exam, laboratory, body composition, and energy expenditure: An Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Clinical Practice Statement (CPS) 2022.Obes Pillars. 2022 Jan 10;1:100007. doi: 10.1016/j.obpill.2021.100007. eCollection 2022 Mar. Obes Pillars. 2022. PMID: 37990700 Free PMC article.
-
How can we assess "thrifty" and "spendthrift" phenotypes?Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2023 Sep 1;26(5):409-416. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000952. Epub 2023 Jun 9. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2023. PMID: 37294042 Review.
-
The Influence of Energy Balance and Availability on Resting Metabolic Rate: Implications for Assessment and Future Research Directions.Sports Med. 2023 Aug;53(8):1507-1526. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01856-7. Epub 2023 May 22. Sports Med. 2023. PMID: 37213050 Review.
-
The role of physical activity in the regulation of body weight: The overlooked contribution of light physical activity and sedentary behaviors.Obes Rev. 2023 Feb;24(2):e13528. doi: 10.1111/obr.13528. Epub 2022 Nov 16. Obes Rev. 2023. PMID: 36394185 Free PMC article. Review.
References
-
- Leibel RL, Rosenbaum M, Hirsch J. Changes in energy expenditure resulting from altered body weight. N Engl J Med. 1995;332:621–8. - PubMed
-
- Martin CK, Heilbronn LK, De Jonge L, DeLany JP, Volaufova J, Anton SD, Redman LM, Smith SR, Ravussin E. Effect of calorie restriction on resting metabolic rate and spontaneous physical activity. Obesity. 2007;15:2964–73. - PubMed
-
- Sumithran P, Proietto J. The defence of body weight: a physiological basis for weight regain after weight loss. Clin Sci. 2013;124:231–41. - PubMed
-
- Tremblay A, Chaput JP. Short communication: Adaptive reduction in thermogenesis and resistance to lose fat in obese men. Br J Nutr. 2009;102:488–92. - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
Associated data
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
Research Materials