| Diets that lead to
substantial but temporary weight loss increase the risk of developing gallstones and boost
the risk of needing gall bladder surgery by up to 70%, according to US researchers. Because
obesity is also a risk factor for gallstones, "our findings reinforce the idea
that in addition to avoidance of obesity, it is important to maintain stable weight in
adulthood," conclude a team of researchers led by Dr. Graham Colditz of the
Channing Laboratory in Boston, Massachusetts. Their findings are published in the March
16th issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The diagnosis and treatment of gallstones costs over $5 billion each year in the US.
Previous studies have suggested that dieting and rapid weight loss encourages the
formation of gallstones.
This study evaluated data on over 47,000 women taking part in the ongoing Nurses'
Health Study. This study examined incidence of gallstones in these womencompared to
fluctuations in their weights over a period of 16 years.
The investigators report that half of the study group experienced episodes of
"weight cycling" -- periods in which they lost 10 pounds or more only to regain
it in a short period of time. Only 11% of the women maintained a steady weight throughout
the study period. Some women exhibited what the researchers labeled "severe"
weight cycling patterns -- repeated, steep declines in weight followed by steady returns
to previous weight levels.
Colditz and his team found that "compared with weight maintenance (no weight
change), the risk for gallstones was increased 31% in moderate cycling... (and) 68% in
severe cycling."
The study streses that weight loss remains a top priority for obese individuals
concerned about reducing their risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and
obesity-related illnesses.
Doctors should advise obese patients about the risks of weight fluctuation, and
encourage "lifestyle changes that have the greatest likelihood of achieving
stable weight," the research team concludes.
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