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Animal Models

Metabolic dysfunction following weight cycling in male mice

International Journal of Obesity volume 41, pages 402–411 (2017)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

Combatting overweight or obesity can lead to large fluctuations in an individual’s body weight, often referred to as weight cycling or ‘yo-yo’ dieting. Current evidence regarding the potentially damaging effects of these changes is conflicting.

Methods:

Here, we assess the metabolic effects of weight cycling in a murine model, comprising three dietary switches to normal or high-fat diets at 6 week intervals; male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a control (C) or high-fat (F) diet for 6 weeks (n=140/group). C and F groups were then either maintained on their initial diet (CC and FF, respectively) or switched to a high-fat (CF) or control (FC) diet (n=35/group). For the final 6 week interval, CC and CF groups were returned to the control diet (CCC and CFC groups), while FC and FF groups were placed on a high-fat diet (FCF and FFF) (n=28/group).

Results:

For the majority of metabolic outcomes changes aligned with dietary switches; however, assessment of neuropeptides and receptors involved in appetite regulation and reward signalling pathways reveal variable patterns of expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that multiple cycling events leads to a significant increase in internal fat deposition, even when compared with animals maintained on a high-fat diet (internal fat: FCF: 7.4±0.2 g vs FFF: 5.6±0.2 g; P<0.01).

Conclusions:

Increased internal adipose tissue is strongly linked to the development of metabolic syndrome associated conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Although further work will be required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the neuronal control of energy homoeostasis, these studies provide a causative link between weight cycling and adverse health.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Medical Research Council for funding and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Imaging Sciences Department, Metabolic and Molecular Imaging Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK

    S E Schofield & G J Sanchez-Canon

  2. Department of Medicine, Section of Neonatal Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK

    J R C Parkinson

  3. Department of Life Sciences, Research Centre for Optimal Health, University of Westminster, London, UK

    A B Henley, M Sahuri-Arisoylu & J D Bell

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  1. S E Schofield
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Correspondence to J R C Parkinson.

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Author Contributions

SES conducted research, analysed and interpreted data; ABH, GJSC and MS conducted research, JRCP interpreted data and wrote paper. JDB designed research and had primary responsibility for final content. All authors contributed to the preparation of the final manuscript.

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Schofield, S., Parkinson, J., Henley, A. et al. Metabolic dysfunction following weight cycling in male mice. Int J Obes 41, 402–411 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.193

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