Benefits of weight loss of 10% or more in patients with overweight or obesity: A review

Abstract Objective Modest weight loss (5%‐10%) is clinically meaningful in patients with overweight or obesity. However, greater weight loss may be required to achieve improvements in or remission of certain weight‐related complications. Therefore, this study reviewed the effect of large weight loss (≥10%). Most studies reporting large weight loss and relevant outcomes used bariatric surgery or lifestyle modifications. Results Benefits of large weight loss were observed in patients with various overweight‐ or obesity‐related complications, including improvements in comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Improvements in glucose metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors were observed in patients who achieved large weight loss through lifestyle interventions or pharmacotherapy (phentermine/topiramate 15/92 mg once daily or subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly). Other benefits associated with large weight loss included reduced cancer risk and improvements in knee osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, fertility‐related end points, and health‐related quality of life. While costly, bariatric surgery is currently the most cost‐effective intervention, although most weight‐management programs are deemed cost‐effective. Conclusions Overall, large weight loss has a major beneficial impact on overweight‐ and obesity‐related complications. Large weight loss should be the main treatment target when modest weight loss has had insufficient effects on obesity‐related complications and for patients with severe obesity.