In adults concerned with maintain or losing weight, although achieving the currently recommended long-term weight loss (LTWL) target was related to improved metabolic health, the 15% LTWL threshold was associated with more favorable outcomes. This according to findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2014) that examined the association between LTWL thresholds and metabolic health among 7,670 US adults who were overweight or obese, were not underweight in the past year, not pregnant, and attempting to lose or maintain weight. Researchers found:

• A subsample of 3,362 participants was used in the analysis of the metabolic risk z score.
• The lowest and the 2 highest LTWL thresholds were related to lower odds for metabolic syndrome.
• All LTWL thresholds were significantly associated with the metabolic risk z score, with the largest effect among the 2 highest LTWL thresholds (15% to 19% LTWL and ≥20% LTWL).