Key result
Protein ≥0.8 g/kg is linked to ~1 kg lower body fat and higher lean mass.
Why the study?
It is unclear whether protein intake should increase above the recommended daily allowance to optimize body composition during intentional weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.
Does higher protein intake improve body composition in adults with overweight or obesity with intentional weight loss?
Observational (n=1,628)
Does higher protein intake improve body composition in adults with overweight or obesity with intentional weight loss?
Absolute Event Rate: 33.64% vs 34.65%
p-value: p=.005
Consuming protein greater than the current RDA is associated with lower total body fat and higher lean mass during intentional weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.
Does not support changing protein targets yet; leaves open causal effects on body composition in trials.
Introduction and Objective: It is unclear whether protein intake should increase above the recommended daily allowance (RDA) to optimize body composition during intentional weight loss in adults with overweight/obesity. The objective of this retrospective, observational study was to compare protein intake and associations with body composition among adults 20-59 years with BMI ≥25 kg/m² with intentional weight loss ≥10 pounds in the past year using secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: Four survey cycles from NHANES, 2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2015-2016, and 2017-2018, were combined for analyses. Each of two cohorts (0.8 group and 1.2 group) for g protein intake/kg body weight (BW), <0.8 vs. ≥0.8 g/kg and <1.2 vs. ≥1.2 g/kg, were logit propensity score matched to reduce selection bias. Body composition outcomes were analyzed using survey regression analysis adjusting for age, weight, height, total weekly metabolic equivalent hours, survey year, gender, and race/ethnicity. All hypothesis tests were performed using 2-sided, 0.05 level tests. Results: The 0.8 and 1.2 groups consisted of 1,004 (mean age=40.3 yrs, mean BMI=32.8 kg/m2) and 624 (mean age=39.2 yrs, mean BMI=29.9 kg/m2) adults, respectively. Compared to protein intake <0.8 g/kg BW, adults achieving ≥0.8 g protein/kg BW had significantly lower total body fat (least squares mean (LSM)±standard error (SE): 33.64±0.28 kg vs. 34.65±0.26 kg, P=.005) and higher total lean mass (LSM±SE: 58.10±0.26 kg vs. 56.95±0.24 kg, P< .001). Similarly, adults who achieved protein intake ≥1.2 g/kg BW had significantly lower total fat mass (LSM±SE: 28.95±0.29 kg vs. 30.77±0.34 kg, P<.001) and higher total lean mass (LSM±SE: 56.55±0.27 kg vs. 54.75±0.32 kg, P< .001) compared to protein intake <1.2 g/kg BW. Total bone mineral content and total bone mineral density were not significantly different. Conclusion: Consuming protein greater than the current RDA could be a strategy to optimize body composition during intentional weight loss. Disclosure S.E. Thomas: Employee; Current; Abbott. Y. Choe: Employee; Current; Abbott.
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THOMAS et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Overweight or obesity with intentional weight loss (n=1,628). Protein intake ≥0.8 g/kg or ≥1.2 g/kg body weight vs. Protein intake <0.8 g/kg or <1.2 g/kg body weight was evaluated on Total body fat (kg) (p=.005). Protein intake ≥0.8 g/kg body weight was associated with lower total body fat (33.64 vs 34.65 kg, P=0.005) and higher lean mass (58.10 vs 56.95 kg, P<0.001) compared to <0.8 g/kg.
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