'The Biggest Loser' Study: Massive Weight Loss Impossible To Maintain

"The Biggest Loser" winners inspire many to get into a drastic weight loss program that will shed off the fat. However, not all "The Biggest Loser" winners end up maintaining their now better physiques after the show. Experts said such massive weight loss is almost impossible to maintain.

According to Huffington Post, a study published in the journal Obesity, conducted on 14 contestants who participated on "The Biggest Loser" found that the weight that these contestants lost was very difficult to maintain. They said it was "almost impossible." After some time, it's either they regain the weight they had at the start of the show, or they even pack on more.

Factors Contributing To Fast Weight Regain Of "The Biggest Loser" Contestants

An analysis of the results of the study point to certain factors that make it "easier" for "The Biggest Loser" participants to regain lost weight. One factor was the artificial environment that the participants have.

While on the show, participants dedicate their time and energy on one thing - weight loss. After the show, their environment and their focus changed, thereby making it difficult to maintain the lost weight.

#BiggestLoser v. steady change: New research on why gradual lifestyle change has best long-term #weightloss results https://t.co/h4v6C3rALl

— Nicole Meline (@nicolejoymeline) May 4, 2016

Another factor that contributes to the rapid weight gain of former "The Biggest Loser" contestants was the slow metabolism. The fact that former contestants had metabolism issues before even joining the show have impacted this phenomenon greatly.

According to Kevin D. Hall, lead author of the study and scientist at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, former "The Biggest Loser" contestants had slow metabolism to begin with. After the show, contestants still have slow metabolisms, contributing to the difficulty in using up energy, and resulting to weight gain.

Study: #BiggestLoser contestants have slower metabolismshttps://t.co/ZOHuu2CS8W — AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) May 3, 2016

Another factor that leads former "The Biggest Loser" contestants to regain lost weight was the decline in leptin, or the "satiety hormone." These former contestants were found to have low leptin levels, which makes them eat more than what is necessary. By eating more than what the body needs, weight regain becomes an inevitable consequence.

"The Biggest Loser" Contestants' Bodies Hard-Wired To Fight Starvation

In Shape, Michele Olson, Ph.D., and a professor of exercise, said that the body is hard-wired to fight starvation. It means that the body does everything to hang on to calories. When "The Biggest Loser" contestants drastically dropped caloric intake, their body tend to hold on to whatever calories they take in.

Just like with "The Biggest Loser" winners, since they dropped caloric intake, then they were unknowingly telling their body that famine is just around the corner and they have to hang on to calories. The moment the show was over, they now find it hard to maintain the weight they lost.

"The Biggest Loser" lesson here for everyone to remember is that a massive and drastic weight loss is never good. Better lose weight gradually than risk regaining lost weight fast through a drastic weight loss program.