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Sustained 48% Weight Loss with Muscle Preservation and 80% Visceral Fat Reduction Over 4 Years: A Case Report

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Open Access
Article Type Case Report
Subject Medicine Group
OCLC JBRES Record
Nawinda Vanichakulthada*, Sunaree Pitchaiprasert, Rasintra Jaroenying, Sumalee Hantragool, Chutima Samhugkanee and Palida Tarcome
Issue: Volume7-Issue4
Pages: 1-8
Received: 2026-04-20
Accepted: 2026-04-24
Published: 2026-04-27

Abstract

Background: Long-term data on lifestyle interventions in severe obesity beyond 1–2 years are scarce. This case documents 4-year outcomes of Intensive Lifestyle Modification (ILM) with Meal Replacement (MR), emphasizing the relationship between muscle preservation and weight-loss sustainability.
Case Presentation: A 52-year-old Thai female (BMI 44.1 kg/m², 102 kg, 152 cm) enrolled in a structured ILM+MR program. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA; Omron HBF-375) at baseline, 8 weeks, and annually for 4 years.
Results: At 4 years, weight was 53 kg (48.0% reduction), BMI 22.9 kg/m², and waist circumference 71 cm (?51 cm). Body fat decreased from 42.0% to 29.5%; muscle mass percentage increased from 19.2% to 26.8%. BIA-estimated visceral fat level fell from 30 to 6 (80% reduction). Lean mass constituted only 16.9% of weight lost at 8 weeks, below the typical 20-30%.
Conclusion: ILM+MR achieved sustained 48% weight loss with preferential fat loss and relative muscle preservation, which may support long-term maintenance by preserving metabolic rate. This case represents an upper-extreme outcome from a parent cohort (n = 702, mean loss 14.43 kg at 52 weeks) and should not be generalized. BIA-derived estimates are acknowledged as a limitation.

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© 2026 Vanichakulthada N, et al. Distributed under Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 Creative CommonsAttribution

How to cite this article

Vanichakulthada N, Pitchaiprasert S, Jaroenying R, Hantragool S, Samhugkanee C, Tarcome P. Sustained 48% Weight Loss with Muscle Preservation and 80% Visceral Fat Reduction Over 4 Years: A Case Report. J Biomed Res Environ Sci. 2026 Apr 27; 7(4): 8. Doi: 10.37872/ jbres2297

Subject area(s)

Metabolic SyndromesNutritionNutritional DisordersMetabolism

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