The intervention durations were 18 to 24 months. Generally speaking, weight loss peaked after 6 months, followed by a plateau or partial weight regain.

Of the 768 participants, 36% lost more than 5% of their body weight, 36% lost more than 0% but less than 5% of their body weight, and 28% either did not lose weight or gained weight.

In the participants who did not lose weight, HDL-C increased (+1.16 mg/dL) and visceral fat decreased.

In the high and moderate weight loss groups, HDL-C increased (+7.6 and +3.6 mg/dL), and there were decreases in triglycerides (−35 and −15 mg/dL), systolic blood pressure (−3.9 and −2.1 mmHg), fasting insulin (−1.5 and −4 µU/mL), insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, liver enzymes, visceral fat, and liver fat (−7% and −3%). The high weight loss group had greater improvements.

Weight loss and improvements in health biomarkers: Is more better? Original paper