Adaptive thermogenesis after moderate weight loss: magnitude and methodological issues

Purpose The aim of this study was (1) to assess AT through 13 different mathematical approaches and to compare their results; and (2) to understand if AT occurs after moderate WL. Methods Ninety-four participants [mean (SD); BMI, 31.1 (4.3) kg/m 2 ; age, 43.0 (9.4) years; 34% females] underwent a 1-year lifestyle intervention (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03031951) and were randomized to intervention (IG, n = 49) or control groups (CG, n = 45), and all measurements were made at baseline and after 4 months. Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and REE by indirect calorimetry. AT was assessed through 13 different approaches, varying in how REE was predicted and/or how AT was assessed. Results IG underwent a mean negative energy balance (EB) of 270 (289) kcal/day, p