Weight loss program
Weight loss program has been studied in 12 papers since 2016: 7 trials and 1 observational study in people, 2 reviews. The newest paper, Mar 1, 2025: “Inflammatory cytokines and quality of life response to weight reduction in obese patients with bronchial asthma”.
12 papers study it27 findingsUpdated
See all 12 papers on weight loss program
At a glance
Independent labs found the same change in people. 6 independent labs in 5 countries.
“VO2peak improved in overweight and obese males”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 6 independent labs in 5 countries
- Funders: National Cancer Institute and others
- Human trial7
- Humans1
Studies in people
See all 6 studies of weight loss program in people6 studies gave weight loss program to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
up: Improves asthma control down: Decreases body mass index | Trial | 80 people42.71 ± 6.35 yearMidlife adults; obese asthmatic patients | African health sciences, Mar 1, 2025 |
down: Decreases body fat mass no change: Has no effect on skeletal muscle mass up: Improves liver function | Trial21 days | 19 peoplePrior to hepatectomy | World journal of surgery, Oct 15, 2023 |
up: Improves physical function6.2±2.9, d=0.31 down: Decreases insomnia symptoms−17.1±7.4, d=−0.30 down: Decreases sleep disturbance−4.9±1.6, d=−0.40 | Randomized trial15 week | 60 peopleAll but two of the participants were women52±9 yearsCancer survivors with overweight or obesity | Psycho-oncology, Sep 12, 2021 |
down: Decreases body weight up: Increases exercise-related motivationpre 17.6 ± 0.3, post 18.2 ± 0.3; F(1,146) = 7.452 | Randomized trial24 weeks | 162 peopleWomen18-50 yearsGeneral population; in women; gender x time interaction | Nutrients, Feb 20, 2020 |
down: Decreases body weight-3.7 kg vs -1.6 kg in control down: Decreases insulin no change: Has no effect on apoptotic index in malignant prostate epithelium | Randomized trial5-8 weeks | 23 peopleMenPatient cohorts | Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases, Dec 4, 2017 |
What did studies of weight loss program find?
22Studies of weight loss program measured 22 outcomes; the most studied are body weight (3 studies), sleep disturbance (1) and insomnia symptoms (1).
Body weight
downin humans3
3 studies
Body weight
downin humans3
Weight loss program decreases body weight in both groups.
“Body weight and %fat decreased, and the rate of lean body mass (%LBM) increased in both groups.”
Human trialin both groups
BMC endocrine disorders
Weight loss program decreases body weight in humans.
“Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage decreased and lean body mass increased after the intervention, without differences by groups.”
Human trial24 weeksn = 162
Nutrients
Weight loss program decreases body weight in humans (compared with control group) (-3.7 kg vs -1.6 kg in control).
“Subjects in the intervention group had significantly more weight loss (WL:-3.7 ± 0.5 kg; Control:-1.6 ± 0.5 kg; p = 0.007) than the control group”
Human trialcompared with control group1200-1500 Kcal/day5-8 weeksmalesn = 23
Phase II prospective randomized trial of weight loss prior to radical prostatectomy
Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
Sleep disturbance
downin humans1
1 study
Sleep disturbance
downin humans1
Weight loss program decreases sleep disturbance in humans (−4.9±1.6, d=−0.40).
“The intervention reduced sleep disturbance symptoms (−4.9±1.6; P=0.005; d=−0.40) compared to waitlist control.”
Human trial15 weekn = 48
Psycho-oncology
Weight loss program decreases sleep disturbance in humans (-4.9 ± 1.6, d = -0.40, p = 0.005).
“sleep disturbance (-4.9 ± 1.6; p = 0.005; d = -0.40) as measured by PROMIS, compared to waitlist control”
Human trial15 weeks
Psycho-oncology
Insomnia symptoms
downin humans1
1 study
Insomnia symptoms
downin humans1
Weight loss program decreases insomnia symptoms in humans (−17.1±7.4, d=−0.30).
“After 15-weeks, the intervention improved physical functioning (6.2±2.9; P=0.02; d=0.31) and reduced insomnia symptoms (−17.1±7.4; P=0.03; d=−0.30) compared to waitlist control.”
Human trial15 weekn = 48
Psycho-oncology
Weight loss program decreases insomnia symptoms in humans (-17.1 ± 7.4, d = -0.30, p = 0.03).
“reduced insomnia symptoms (-17.1 ± 7.4; p = 0.03; d = -0.30) as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30”
Human trial15 weeks
Psycho-oncology
Physical function
upin humans1
1 study
Physical function
upin humans1
Weight loss program improves physical function in humans (6.2±2.9, d=0.31).
“After 15-weeks, the intervention improved physical functioning (6.2±2.9; P=0.02; d=0.31) and reduced insomnia symptoms (−17.1±7.4; P=0.03; d=−0.30) compared to waitlist control.”
Human trial15 weekn = 48
Psycho-oncology
Weight loss program improves physical function in humans (6.2 ± 2.9, d = 0.31, p = 0.02).
“weight loss program improved physical functioning (6.2 ± 2.9; p = 0.02; d = 0.31)”
Human trial15 weeks
Psycho-oncology
Inflammation
downin humans1
1 study
Inflammation
downin humans1
Weight loss program decreases inflammation in humans (obese asthmatic patients).
“the mean values of BMI, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced in group (A)”
Human trialobese asthmatic patients
African health sciences
Body mass index
downin humans1
1 study
Body mass index
downin humans1
Weight loss program decreases body mass index in humans (obese asthmatic patients).
“the mean values of BMI, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced in group (A)”
Human trialobese asthmatic patients
African health sciences
Asthma control
upin humans1
1 study
Asthma control
upin humans1
Weight loss program improves asthma control in humans (obese asthmatic patients).
“Asthma Control Test (ACT) improved significantly”
Human trialobese asthmatic patients
African health sciences
Quality of life
upin humans1
1 study
Quality of life
upin humans1
Weight loss program improves quality of life in humans (obese asthmatic patients).
“The Health-related quality of life (SF-36 HRQL) subscale scores, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Asthma Control Test (ACT) improved significantly”
Human trialobese asthmatic patients
African health sciences
Muscle mass
downin humans1
1 study
Muscle mass
downin humans1
Weight loss program decreases muscle mass in individuals with sarcopenic obesity.
“a general weight loss program alone among individuals with sarcopenic obesity can include substantial loss of muscle mass”
Reviewin individuals with sarcopenic obesity
Association between sarcopenic obesity and knee osteoarthritis: A narrative review
Osteoarthritis and cartilage open
Postoperative outcomes
no changein humans1
1 study
Postoperative outcomes
no changein humans1
Weight loss program showed no clear effect on postoperative outcomes in humans (propensity score-matching analysis after hepatectomy).
“there were no significant differences in both short and long-term outcomes after Hx based on participation in the WLP.”
Human trialpropensity score-matching analysis after hepatectomy
World journal of surgery
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
upin humans1
1 study
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
upin humans1
Weight loss program improves neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in humans (retrospective propensity score-matching analysis).
“WLP group showed better NLR value”
Human trialretrospective propensity score-matching analysis
World journal of surgery
Liver function
upin humans1
1 study
Liver function
upin humans1
Weight loss program improves liver function in humans (prior to hepatectomy).
“WLP led to improvements in liver function and fibrotic markers, without tumor progression.”
Human trialprior to hepatectomyn = 19
World journal of surgery
Skeletal muscle mass
no changein humans1
1 study
Skeletal muscle mass
no changein humans1
Weight loss program showed no clear effect on skeletal muscle mass in humans (prior to hepatectomy).
“Body fat mass was reduced during the program, while skeletal muscle mass was maintained.”
Human trialprior to hepatectomy21 daysn = 19
World journal of surgery
Body fat mass
downin humans1
1 study
Body fat mass
downin humans1
Weight loss program decreases body fat mass in humans (prior to hepatectomy).
“Body fat mass was reduced during the program, while skeletal muscle mass was maintained.”
Human trialprior to hepatectomy21 daysn = 19
World journal of surgery
Muscle strength
upin humans1
1 study
Muscle strength
upin humans1
Weight loss program improves muscle strength in the M group only (weight reduction > 5% from baseline).
“Exercise capacity and muscle strength improved in the M group only.”
Human trialin the M group only (weight reduction > 5% from baseline)
BMC endocrine disorders
All 22Fewer
Funding
2 grants since 2017National Cancer Institute$472KNational Institute on Aging$1.1M
National Institute on AgingDuke University$534K2019–2024
National Cancer InstituteMedical College of Wisconsin$62.1K2018–2020