Table 1.

Weight patterns during a 20-year period (1972–1992) in the NHS and HPFS^*

Category	Description
Weight loss	Intentional weight loss between 1972 and 1992 with no net weight gain of ≥5 pounds over similar period
Weight maintenance	No reported episodes of intentional weight loss between 1972 and 1992, with no net weight loss or gain ≥5 pounds over similar period
Weight gain	No reported intentional weight loss between 1972 and 1992, with net weight gain of ≥5 pounds over similar period
Light cycling	Intentional weight loss between 1972 and 1992 with a maximum weight loss of 5 to 9 pounds per episode and net weight gain ≥5 pounds over a similar period or a cumulative reported intentional loss exceeding net weight loss
Medium cycling	Intentional weight loss between 1972 and 1992 with a maximum weight loss of 10 to 19 pounds per episode and net weight gain ≥5 pounds over a similar period or a cumulative reported intentional loss exceeding net weight loss
Extreme cycling	Intentional weight loss between 1972 and 1992 with a maximum weight loss of ≥20- pounds per episode and net weight gain ≥5 pounds over a similar period or a cumulative reported intentional loss exceeding net weight loss

^*Net weight loss or gain was calculated as weight changes between 1976 and 1992 in NHS, and between 1981 and 1992 in HPFS. HPFS = Health Professionals Follow-Up Study; NHS = Nurses’ Health Study.