Obesity Myth: Losing Weight Is Always Beneficial For Your Health
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Another common misconception about obesity discusses in our recent paper in Canadian Family Medicine, is the notion that anyone with excess weight stands to benefit from losing weight.
The benefits of weight loss, however are far from as established as most of us may think:
“The strong biological response to weight loss (even the recommended 5% to 10% of baseline weight) involves comprehensive, persistent, and redundant adaptations in energy homeostasis that underlie the high recidivism rate of obesity treatment.
The multiple systems regulating energy stores and opposing the maintenance of a reduced body weight illustrate that fat stores are actively defended.
Among the adverse effects of weight loss, it is well known that body fat loss increases the drive to eat, reduces energy expenditure to a greater extent than predicted, and increases the tendency toward hypoglycemia.
Weight loss is also related to psychological stress, increased risk of depressive symptoms, and increased levels of persistent organic pollutants that promote hormone disruption and metabolic complications, all of which are adaptations that substantially increase the risk of weight regain.
In addition, there is considerable concern about the negative effect of “failed” weight-loss attempts on self-esteem, body image, and mental health.
Thus, clinicians should document and consider the powerful biological counter-regulatory responses and potential undesired effects of weight loss to maximize the success of their interventions. Obesity is a chronic condition and its management requires realistic and sustainable treatment strategies.
Successful obesity management requires identifying and addressing the obesity drivers as well as the barriers to and potential complications of weight management. Family physicians should discuss the possible adverse effects of weight loss with their patients and actively look for these effects in patients trying to lose weight.”
@DrSharma
Wellington, NZ
Thursday, November 20, 2014
clinicians (and/or patient) need to figure out the cause(s) of the excess weight in that specific person and treat that problem(s). After each successful treatment, a new (lower) homeostasis weight will occur. When all problems have been treated, where will you be?
Thursday, November 20, 2014
and there’s also the loss of muscle mass- which can be a big problem in especially seniors who lose weight.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
I would really like to know how a new homeostasis can be set in humans. Maybe that bit of information might be useful.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Fat-soluble organic pollutants that we take up from our surroundings are often stored in fat tissue – losing weight can mobilize these toxins, which may then affect the function of other organs – see this article for more information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16989697