Weight Cycling
Yo-yo dieting — the repeated pattern of losing and regaining weight, which can slow metabolism.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Weight cycling — often called "yo-yo dieting" — is the repeated pattern of losing weight and then regaining it. Each cycle can make it progressively harder to lose weight the next time, because your body adapts by slowing metabolism and increasing hunger signals. Breaking the cycle requires a sustainable, medically supervised approach rather than quick-fix diets.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Weight cycling refers to intentional weight loss followed by unintentional weight regain in a recurrent pattern, typically defined as a loss and regain of ≥ 4.5 kg (10 lbs) per cycle. The metabolic consequences include adaptive thermogenesis — a disproportionate reduction in resting energy expenditure beyond what is predicted by the loss of fat-free mass — driven by decreased leptin, T3, and sympathetic nervous system activity, and increased ghrelin. Epidemiological studies show weight cycling is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, higher all-cause mortality in some cohorts (particularly among normal-weight individuals who cycle), and negative psychological effects including reduced self-efficacy and increased risk of disordered eating.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Many patients come to Accord Medical after years of unsuccessful yo-yo dieting. Dr Joseph Wang's physician-supervised weight management programme is designed to break this cycle through sustainable lifestyle change, medication where appropriate, and long-term follow-up — so the weight stays off for good.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.