Self-Reported Weight-Loss Methods and Weight Change: Ten-Year Analysis in the Swedish Obese Subjects Study Control Group.

OBJECTIVE: The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study was designed to compare outcomes in patients with obesity treated by bariatric surgery and a matched control group given usual care. The aim of this study was to analyze self-reported weight-loss methods and weight changes over 10 years in the SOS control group.

METHODS: Self-reported weight-loss methods in the control group (n = 2,037; 71% women; 48.7 ± 6.3 years; BMI 40.1 ± 4.7 kg/m2 ) were analyzed at baseline and after 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years of follow-up and studied in relation to weight changes.

RESULTS: The average 10-year weight change was +2.1% (95% CI: 1.4%-2.8%). At every follow-up, 82.7% (95% CI: 81.3%-84.1%) of participants reported weight-loss attempts. At 10 years, 12.5% of the participants had ≥ 10% weight loss and 22.3% had ≥ 10% weight gain. Participants who lost or gained weight reported similar usage of weight-loss methods.

CONCLUSIONS: Over 10 years, the majority of the participants of the SOS control group reported continuous efforts to lose weight. These results illustrate the constant struggle individuals with severe obesity are facing and that, on average, the results of long-term weight loss and weight maintenance were discouraging.