Researchers studied 200 soldiers in the Czech Army to see if personalized education about nutrition and exercise could help them lose weight healthily. More than half of the soldiers were overweight or obese. Those who received customized advice based on their body composition analysis lost weight over 12 months—women lost an average of 3.6 kg and men lost 0.8 kg—while keeping their muscle mass intact. The study shows that when doctors provide individualized guidance tailored to each person’s specific body composition, people can successfully reduce harmful belly fat and improve their overall health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether personalized education about eating habits and exercise, based on individual body composition analysis, could help overweight and obese soldiers lose weight while keeping their muscle mass.
  • Who participated: 200 soldiers from six Czech military units (139 men and 61 women) who were measured between 2023 and 2025. About 56% of them were overweight or obese at the start.
  • Key finding: Soldiers with excess body fat who received personalized coaching lost weight and dangerous belly fat over 6 months without losing muscle mass. Women lost an average of 3.6 kg and men lost 0.8 kg, with significant reductions in body fat percentage (women: 2%, men: 0.8%).
  • What it means for you: Personalized, doctor-guided nutrition and exercise plans appear to be an effective way to lose unhealthy fat while preserving muscle. This approach may work better than generic weight-loss advice because it’s tailored to your individual body composition. However, results vary by person, and this study was conducted in a military setting with structured support.

The Research Details

This was a forward-looking study conducted over two years (2023-2025) with soldiers from six military units. Researchers measured each participant’s weight, height, and body composition using a technology called bioimpedance analysis, which sends harmless electrical signals through the body to determine how much is fat, muscle, and water. After the initial measurements, each soldier received personalized education about their specific body composition results and received customized recommendations for diet and exercise. The researchers then re-measured everyone at 6 months and again at 12 months to see what changed. This approach allowed them to track not just weight loss, but whether people were losing fat specifically while keeping their muscle mass.

This research design is important because it shows real-world results in a structured environment where people receive ongoing support. The bioimpedance method provides more detailed information than just weighing someone on a scale—it reveals whether weight loss is coming from fat or muscle, which matters for health. By measuring people multiple times over a year, researchers could see if changes lasted or were temporary. The personalized approach based on individual body composition analysis is more sophisticated than one-size-fits-all weight-loss programs.

This study has several strengths: it followed people over a full year, used objective measurements rather than just asking people about their habits, and included both men and women. The sample size of 200 is reasonably large. However, the study was conducted only in a military population with structured support, so results might differ in other groups. The study doesn’t include a control group (people who didn’t receive the intervention), which would have made it stronger. Published in a reputable military medicine journal, this research represents solid evidence but not the highest level of proof.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that soldiers with excess body fat responded very well to the personalized intervention. Women with above-normal body fat lost an average of 3.6 kg over the year, while men lost 0.8 kg on average. More importantly, this weight loss came from fat, not muscle—muscle mass was preserved in both groups. After 6 months, the entire group showed a statistically significant decrease in body fat percentage (women lost 2%, men lost 0.8%) and dangerous visceral fat (the fat that surrounds organs and increases disease risk). Interestingly, soldiers who already had normal body fat percentages at the start showed no significant changes, suggesting the intervention was most effective for those who needed it most.

The study found that visceral fat—the particularly harmful type of fat that surrounds internal organs—decreased significantly in the entire sample after 6 months. This is important because visceral fat is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. The fact that muscle mass was preserved during weight loss is also significant, because losing muscle can slow metabolism and make it harder to maintain weight loss long-term. The results suggest that the personalized approach prevented the common problem of losing both fat and muscle when people diet.

This study aligns with existing research showing that personalized interventions work better than generic advice for weight loss. Previous studies have shown that preserving muscle mass during weight loss is important for long-term success, and this research confirms that approach. The finding that education-based interventions are effective supports earlier research suggesting that understanding your own body composition motivates better health choices. However, most previous weight-loss studies were conducted in civilian populations, so this military-specific evidence adds a new perspective.

The study was conducted only in a military population with structured support, regular access to healthcare, and potentially higher motivation than the general public, so results might not apply equally to everyone. There was no control group of soldiers who didn’t receive the intervention, so we can’t be completely certain the changes were due to the program rather than other factors. The study didn’t track how long results lasted after the program ended. Additionally, the study didn’t measure other important health markers like blood sugar, cholesterol, or blood pressure, so we don’t know if the fat loss translated to improved disease risk. The relatively small weight loss in men (0.8 kg) suggests the intervention may be more effective for women.

The Bottom Line

If you’re overweight or obese, consider seeking personalized guidance from a healthcare provider who can analyze your body composition and create a customized nutrition and exercise plan. This approach appears more effective than generic dieting advice. Focus on losing fat while preserving muscle through a combination of proper nutrition and exercise. Expect gradual changes—the soldiers in this study lost weight over 6-12 months, not weeks. High confidence: Personalized, medically-supervised interventions are effective. Moderate confidence: Results will be similar outside military settings. Low confidence: Specific weight-loss amounts will match your situation exactly.

This research is most relevant for adults who are overweight or obese and want to lose weight in a healthy way that preserves muscle. It’s particularly useful for people in structured environments (military, corporate wellness programs, organized fitness groups) where they can receive ongoing support. People with normal body composition may not see significant changes from this approach. Anyone with medical conditions, taking medications, or pregnant should consult their doctor before starting any weight-loss program. Athletes and very active individuals may see different results than the soldiers studied.

Based on this study, expect to see measurable changes in body fat percentage within 6 months if you follow a personalized plan consistently. Weight loss may be gradual—the soldiers lost less than 1-4 kg over a year, which is actually a healthy, sustainable rate. Don’t expect dramatic changes in the first few weeks. The benefits of reduced visceral fat and preserved muscle mass may take several months to fully develop. Long-term success likely requires maintaining the lifestyle changes beyond the initial year.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track body composition metrics weekly or bi-weekly rather than daily weight. Specifically monitor: body fat percentage, visceral fat level (if your scale measures it), and muscle mass. Weight alone can be misleading since muscle weighs more than fat. Set a goal to reduce body fat percentage by 1-2% every 3 months rather than focusing on total weight loss.
  • Use the app to log personalized nutrition recommendations specific to your body composition goals, not just calories. For example, if your analysis shows high visceral fat, prioritize logging foods that reduce inflammation. Create a custom exercise plan in the app that combines strength training (to preserve muscle) with cardio (to reduce fat). Set weekly check-ins to review your body composition trends rather than daily weigh-ins.
  • Establish a baseline body composition measurement (through bioimpedance analysis at a gym, doctor’s office, or health clinic) and input those numbers into the app. Schedule re-measurements every 6 weeks and log the results to track trends over time. Create alerts for when you’ve achieved 0.5% body fat reduction milestones. Use the app’s trend analysis to identify which nutrition and exercise combinations work best for your individual body composition, allowing you to refine your personalized approach over time.

This research describes results from a military population and may not apply equally to all individuals. Before starting any weight-loss program, nutrition plan, or exercise regimen, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, are pregnant, or have a history of eating disorders. The findings suggest personalized, medically-supervised interventions may be effective, but individual results vary significantly. This article is for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.