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Strategies and Mechanisms of Caloric Restriction for Healthy Weight Loss

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Obesity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 June 2026 | Viewed by 493

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Sports and Exercise Medicine Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
Interests: muscle exercise; caloric restriction; muscle; disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A growing number of people worldwide are overweight or obese, presenting a major challenge for many countries due to the resulting rise in healthcare costs. Although various restrictive diets have been employed to combat obesity, they are often unsustainable. Pharmacological treatments targeting the glucagon receptor (GCGR), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) are effective in reducing food intake and promoting weight loss. However, these approaches often lead to a reduction in lean body mass, which is especially concerning for older adults, who already have lower levels of lean mass. Our current understanding of how to mitigate the negative effects of caloric restriction on lean body mass remains limited. To advance this field, further research is needed into sustainable strategies for weight loss and rebound prevention. Both animal and human studies examining the effects of caloric restriction at the cellular, organ, and whole-body levels could provide critical insights into preserving lean body mass during weight loss.

Dr. Aivaras Ratkevicius
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • obesity
  • caloric restriction
  • fasting
  • weight loss
  • weight gain
  • muscle wasting
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

33 pages, 660 KB  
Review
Dietary and Behavioral Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance: A Narrative Review
by Tomasz Żurawski and Anna Bartosiewicz
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010012 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease associated with increased risk of metabolic disorders, reduced quality of life, and rising healthcare costs. Although weight reduction is achievable through various dietary approaches, maintaining the achieved results remains a major clinical challenge. This review aims [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease associated with increased risk of metabolic disorders, reduced quality of life, and rising healthcare costs. Although weight reduction is achievable through various dietary approaches, maintaining the achieved results remains a major clinical challenge. This review aims to identify and discuss dietary, behavioral, and lifestyle strategies that support long-term weight loss and weight maintenance. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted in two stages using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search included peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 focusing on individuals with overweight and obesity. Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, systematic and narrative reviews, and meta-analyses discussing short-term and long-term weight loss outcomes and factors influencing the maintenance of reduced body weight were included. Results: Multiple nutritional strategies, including continuous and intermittent energy restriction, very low-calorie diets, and macronutrient modification, can be effective for weight reduction. However, long-term outcomes are primarily dependent on adherence and consistent implementation of recommendations. Behavioral and psychological factors, such as emotional eating, dietary fatigue, and unrealistic expectations, often contribute to weight regain. Social support, personalized dietary strategies, and sustainable lifestyle habits are key determinants of maintaining weight loss. The current evidence base is limited by the scarcity of long-term follow-up studies and high methodological variability across interventions. Conclusions: Long-term weight management requires a comprehensive, individualized approach that integrates dietary strategies with behavioral and lifestyle support. Strengthening adherence and addressing psychological and environmental factors may significantly improve the effectiveness and durability of obesity treatment. Full article
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