Metabolism slows down during periods of dieting
Evidence strongly supports the phenomenon of adaptive thermogenesis, wherein resting energy expenditure and metabolic rate decrease during periods of dieting or caloric restriction beyond what is expected by changes in body composition alone.
The vast majority of reviews and clinical studies confirm that caloric restriction and weight loss trigger a compensatory reduction in resting energy expenditure and metabolic rate (adaptive thermogenesis). While a few specific cohorts (such as adolescents in trial [8]) may show variable or stable resting energy expenditure, the overwhelming consensus across the literature supports the claim.
M.J. Müller, A. Bosy‐Westphal. Adaptive thermogenesis with weight loss in humans. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20027
Discusses adaptive thermogenesis with weight loss, noting an underfeeding-associated fall in resting energy expenditure.
Siroux J, Lambert C, Masurier J, Marcantei C, Tarrit B, Julian V, Dutheil F, De Saint Vincent S, Pereira B, Duclos M, Boirie Y, Isacco L, Thivel D. Resting energetic adaptations over the course of a 10-month multidisciplinary weight loss intervention in adolescents with obesity: The POWELL-2 project.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2026.103463
Found that resting energy expenditure remained stable throughout a 10-month weight loss intervention in adolescents with obesity.
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Jeppesen JS, Hellsten Y, Melin AK, Hansen M. Short-Term Severe Low Energy Availability in Athletes: Molecular Mechanisms, Endocrine Responses, and Performance Outcomes-A Narrative Review.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70089
Highlights that short-term severe low energy availability triggers energy-conserving responses, including a reduction in resting metabolic rate.
Dulloo AG. Adaptive thermogenesis driving catch-up fat during weight regain: a role for skeletal muscle hypothyroidism and a risk for sarcopenic obesity.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-025-09970-9
Examines metabolic adaptation and adaptive thermogenesis in response to large weight deficits.
Purnell JQ, Le Roux CW. Metabolic and appetitive regulation of adipocyte mass during treatment of obesity.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.70045
Explains that low-calorie dieting prompts adaptive responses in metabolism that resist further loss.
Pereira LV, Coutinho MAP, Hortiz D, Xavier AL, Lima RPA. Metabolic Adaptation and Weight Regain in Obesity Treatment: The Central Role of Nutrition in the Era of Bariatric Surgery and GLP-1-Based Pharmacotherapy.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111725
Notes that long-term maintenance is frequently compromised by reductions in total daily energy expenditure that exceed predictions.
Elmendorf AJ, Douros JD, Knerr PJ, Flak JN. Improving incretin-mediated body weight loss via energy expenditure.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.12.004
Points out that a compensatory drop in basal metabolic rate represents a barrier to sustainable weight loss.
Lasik L, Ukleja-Sokołowska N. Restoring Satiety After GLP-1/GIP Pharmacotherapy: Metabolic Stability, Diet Quality, and the Gut Microbiota.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114658
States that weight regain is driven in part by persistent metabolic adaptations, including a reduction in resting energy expenditure.
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