Weight loss is associated with short-term amelioration and prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular risk, but whether these benefits persist over time is unknown.

Most epidemiological studies have shown that obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.^1,2 Weight loss improves diabetes and other intermediate risk factors for cardiovascular disease,^3-6 suggesting that weight loss could also reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events. However, weight loss has been paradoxically associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular events in most epidemiological studies,^7-9 even in participants who were overweight or obese at baseline.¹⁰ Some observational studies suggest that self-reported intentional weight loss is associated with a decreased incidence of cardiovascular events.¹¹ Other studies suggest the opposite.^12,13 Results of these studies might be confounded by inclusion of participants with unintentional weight loss.^11-13

Research from JAMA — Association of Bariatric Surgery With Long-term Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and With Microvascular and Macrovascular Complications

Weight loss protects against type 2 diabetes but is hard to maintain with behavioral modification alone. In an analysis of data from a nonrandomized, prospective, controlled study, we examined the effects of bariatric surgery on the prevention of type 2 diabetes.