Obesity research confirms long-term weight loss almost impossible

[taco.vidal]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/obesit...ible-1.2663585

Obesity research confirms long-term weight loss almost impossible
No known cure for obesity except surgically shrinking the stomach
By Kelly Crowe, CBC News Posted: Jun 04, 2014 5:00 PM ET


There's a disturbing truth that is emerging from the science of obesity. After years of study, it's becoming apparent that it's nearly impossible to permanently lose weight.

As incredible as it sounds, that's what the evidence is showing. For psychologist Traci Mann, who has spent 20 years running an eating lab at the University of Minnesota, the evidence is clear. "It couldn't be easier to see," she says. "Long-term weight loss happens to only the smallest minority of people."

We all think we know someone in that rare group. They become the legends — the friend of a friend, the brother-in-law, the neighbour — the ones who really did it.

But if we check back after five or 10 years, there's a good chance they will have put the weight back on. Only about five per cent of people who try to lose weight ultimately succeed, according to the research. Those people are the outliers, but we cling to their stories as proof that losing weight is possible.

The article doesn't address WHY the weight is gained back. It doesn't say whether people are unable to maintain the changes in their lifestyle (eating, exercise, etc) that resulted in the short to midterm weight loss or whether there are other biological or physiological issues that cause the body to regain weight even if the changes are maintained. Lots of not so great comments on the CBC website.

[woob]

This research brought to you by Crispy Cream, McDonalds, and Coke!

[Wood]

If you stick to a healthy diet and stay physically active, you're not going to go back to being "obese"

I'm not surprised only 5% of people are successful at losing weight and keeping it off. Why not strive to be one of the 5% and stop looking for excuses?

[Dion]

One of the readers comments.......

OK why is the only people quoted here NOT trained in actual human metabolic science?? where is the link to this study?

Traci Mann: Ph.D.: Psychology, Stanford University, 1995.

Klim McPherson: Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Timothy Caulfield: BSc (Alberta), LL.B. (Alberta), LL.M. (Dalhousie), Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy; Trudeau Fellow; Senior Health Scholar, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research; Professor, Faculty of Law and School of Public Health; and Research Director, Health Law Institute

A lawyer, an obstetrician, and a shrink... How about we hear from a Biologist a biochemist and an MD before we go throwing articles like this around??

[ikaris]

Feaster

[saillias]

Luckily, this will not demotivate anyone because everyone secretly thinks they're better than everyone else.

[Caged Great]

If you don't address why you over eat, and only address the weight, the problem that caused you to over eat will still be there.

[bcsoda]

I don't have the energy for this argument again (search previous posts about obesity if you'd like to read the whole thing), so I'll just leave this link http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2...their-doctors/

No, she isn't a biologist, biochemist, doctor, or whatever you think will give someone the credentials to be able to say that dieting is ineffective, but if I remember right she is a professional researcher and has done a ton of research about this. Scroll to the bottom of the article if you don't give a #### what she has to say and just want to see the proof.

[bcsoda]

Originally Posted by woob

This research brought to you by Crispy Cream, McDonalds, and Coke!

Originally Posted by Wood

If you stick to a healthy diet and stay physically active, you're not going to go back to being "obese"

I'm not surprised only 5% of people are successful at losing weight and keeping it off. Why not strive to be one of the 5% and stop looking for excuses?

Whether you believe that long-term weight-loss is possible or not, comments like these are fat-shaming, which is a form of bullying. You don't have to agree with the research, but that doesn't give you an excuse to be a bully.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by bcsoda

I don't have the energy for this argument again (search previous posts about obesity if you'd like to read the whole thing), so I'll just leave this link http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2...their-doctors/

No, she isn't a biologist, biochemist, doctor, or whatever you think will give someone the credentials to be able to say that dieting is ineffective, but if I remember right she is a professional researcher and has done a ton of research about this. Scroll to the bottom of the article if you don't give a #### what she has to say and just want to see the proof.

It's long been the consensus that dieting itself is useless and doesn't work in the long run, there's nothing new there. To keep weight off a lifestyle change is needed which that article doesn't seem to address

[SebC]

Isn't it kind of self-evident that it's hard for fat people to lose weight? If it was easy, why would so many choose to stay fat?

[flylock shox]

Sustainable weight loss is largely a myth perpetuated by those in a position to profit from it. Same goes for the supposed dangers of being overweight.

It's a great business: convince people there's something wrong with them, sell them a product that supposedly helps, wait for short term gains to wear off, repeat.

[bcsoda]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

It's long been the consensus that dieting itself is useless and doesn't work in the long run, there's nothing new there. To keep weight off a lifestyle change is needed which that article doesn't seem to address

The definition of diet is technically "the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats." so it doesn't necessarily refer to stuff like Atkins and South Beach and all that crap. From my experiences with nutritionists they refer to diets simply as what you eat (the correct definition), so I'd think that could be the same among other professionals.

Some of those articles do specifically mention calorie-restricting diets, I can't honestly say I've read every word of all of them so I don't know what kinds of food they're eating, but at least one of them mentions "engaging in lifestyle modification", which sounds like another way to say "lifestyle change" to me.

[bcsoda]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

It's long been the consensus that dieting itself is useless and doesn't work in the long run, there's nothing new there. To keep weight off a lifestyle change is needed which that article doesn't seem to address

Also if you go to the section called "Studies about healthy habits leading to healthy bodies" it does talk about healthy lifestyles, and that having a healthy lifestyle can make you healthy regardless of whether or not you lose weight.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Sustainable weight loss is largely a myth perpetuated by those in a position to profit from it. Same goes for the supposed dangers of being overweight.

It's a great business: convince people there's something wrong with them, sell them a product that supposedly helps, wait for short term gains to wear off, repeat.

Did you just say "the supposed dangers of being overweight"?

Are you suggesting that being overweight is not dangerous? Maybe 'a little' overweight is not "dangerous" but it's not good for you, and being obese is very dangerous. This is coming from someone with a lifetime experience of weight issues.

[WhiteTiger]

This isn't a surprise.

I'm no doctor. I don't have advanced research degrees.

But I have some experience. It's hard because you always have to keep doing it. Because you can't get to your target weight and say "Great, made it, now I can eat however I want and/or stop exercising$". Because humans are creatures of rewards, and the only reward for losing weight is...more work to maintain it. Because it's SO EASY to slip back into the old habits and mind sets.

Impossible? I'd not say so. But it's a long, difficult, personal struggle for everyone struggling with it.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Did you just say "the supposed dangers of being overweight"?

Are you suggesting that being overweight is not dangerous? Maybe 'a little' overweight is not "dangerous" but it's not good for you, and being obese is very dangerous. This is coming from someone with a lifetime experience of weight issues.

It's a matter of definition. Most studies, experts, media, etc., use the BMI to define what is normal, overweight, and obese. The BMI, of course, is absolute garbage for this purpose.

So yes: if we use the BMI to define the term, being overweight is not dangerous. In fact, people in that category typically live longer with less morbidity than those in the normal category. And some of them, like the majority of NHL players I would wager, are among the healthiest people around.

What is dangerous is people weight-cycling in an attempt to reach a "normal" weight that has been defined by an arbitrary and largely meaningless scale, or developing eating disorders in an attempt to reach an "ideal" that is manufactured and incompatible with their biology. What is obnoxious is those with a financial interest in the weight loss industry pimping the dangers of "overweight and obesity" to sell products that, in the long term, are demonstrably ineffective.

There are health risks correlated with high weight (BMI) but you've got to go to the mid to high end of the "obese" group before you see a high degree of them. And there are all sorts of other confounding factors even among that group.

Eat nutritious food. Get regular exercise. Be happy with the weight that's right for your body: that's about as healthy as it gets.

[Devils'Advocate]

#1 - To the OP - here is the deal. Biologically our bodies are DESIGNED to MAINTAIN fat stores. Dating back to when we were cavemen, we never knew when there was going to be a period of famine, so during times of feast they would eat as much as possible and when calories were restricted the body would take steps to retain the fat stores. When talking to other groups I like to prove I am a big nerd by comparing it to Star Trek's Enterprise. Let's say there is an energy drain. The first thing is that they are going to start shutting down systems and trying to be more efficient with the power that they do have. (Metabolism slows considerably) The computer will continually issue warnings that it needs more energy (ghrelin levels change so that you are always hungry and telling you you always need food). And finally, when energy does start coming back it takes a long time for the computer to say that energy levels are back to full. (leptin levels in the body change so that you can eat and eat and eat and never feel full) It has taken me a few years but I've found ways to counteract each of these things. To get the metabolism back up I worked with a doctor to GAIN 15 pounds back; by tricking my body into thinking the famine was over and to turn all the systems back on. It was a high carb, high fat, no sugar diet the doctor gave me.. and after two months and 15 pounds later, I was able to go back to my regular diet. Also on the metabolism side, I really recommend that people do as much weight training as cardio. Muscle is calorie burning tissue. So I have been lifting weights four times a week adding muscle mass to also increase metabolism. And I've played with my diet consistently so that I'm quite low carb, VERY high protein (1g/pound/day), medium fat. So egg whites+yogurt for breakfast, steamed vegetables+cottage cheese at lunch, grilled veggies+soup+teriyaki tofu for supper. The high protein meals are keeping me satiated through the day. I still have no "full" feeling. It's completely gone. That sensor is totally busted. So I have to be careful when portioning out my meals.

#2 - Take a look at the writings of Dr. Sharma from the University of Calgary (drsharma.ca) or Dr. Freedhoff from the University of Ottawa (weighty matters.ca). These guys are THE obesity experts in Canada. And they will echo exactly what the article above says. But it isn't about throwing up your hands and saying "well, let's just give up". It's about managing expectations and shifting the focus towards being the healthiest the person can be. I was discussing this article with someone yesterday and I said it's not moving the goalposts, it's replacing them entirely. The goal shouldn't be losing 40 pounds, it should be about exercising every day, eating as nutritious and clean a diet that you can, and becoming a healthier you. If the scale doesn't move don't worry about it. If the exercise and eating better helps you lose the weight and keep it off, bonus. So you will NEVER, EVER see Dr. Sharma or Dr. Freedhoff tell their patients to give up and eat all the Dairy Queen foods they want. They tell them to be the healthiest person they can be. As much as they hate my guts, I support the HAES community (HAES = "Healthy At Every Size"). They promote that overweight and obese people should be exercising more, eating good foods, but not worrying about their weight per se. Which I think is awesome. It's all part of changing the goal posts entirely. And I am glad to see obesity experts such as those cited in the article here, Sharma, Freedhoff.... all moving in this general direction. I just fear that society is still going to continue shaming fat people even when they are putting in the efforts to be healthy.

#3) That 5% figure is horribly, horribly INFLATED. Clinically, the scientific community had decided that weight loss success is defined as losing 10% of your body mass and keeping it off for 1 year. So a 300 pound man losing 30 pounds and keeping it off for a year is a "success". Most people reading the article probably would think success would be a 300 pound man getting down to a normal BMI reading. It's not. The odds of a 350 pound man getting down to 185 and staying there are INCREDIBLY small. We're talking a fraction of 1%.

#4) Actually, SebC, losing weight is actually quite easy. It's my opinion that the reason many people choose to stay overweight is because:
1) They are not yet at the point where the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change. If you have a good job, a loving family, a beautiful home, two kids and a dog... you've got a pretty darn good life. Why change anything? I heard one guys success story last year where he said "After my third heart attack I figured I had to do something about my weight". Sometimes it takes a LOT for people, particularly MEN, to get motivated to lose the weight because they don't like change. They like their meat and potatoes and they like watching the hockey game with Lays potato chips and a few beer. The pain of staying the same HAS to outweigh the pain of staying the same.
2) You need to have hope that you can get healthier. Some people just don't think that it is possible. That they are too far gone. That they have done so much damage to their body that they can't fix it. I spent almost two decades of my life in this phase. I had not seen anyone in my entire life that had been 350 pounds become a healthy, athletic person. But it is EVEN HARDER for people that have tried and failed before. And with each failed attempt, it gets even harder to try again.
I do believe there are a LOT of pitfalls to losing weight. Particularly with all the snake oil that is on the market. But I think if someone puts their mind to it they can take off the weight. But as the article suggests, the almost IMPOSSIBLE part is keeping the weight off. More research needs to be done on regulating these hormone levels and into improving metabolisms that have shut down. People have to be educated that weight training is ABSOLUTELY essential to keeping off the weight. But this information just isn't out there. According to Dr. Freedhoff there are 63,000 books on losing weight on Amazon. Know how many there are on maintaining weight loss after losing the weight? I've found 5. Five. That's it. I've read them all. So I have read every single book that I could find on Amazon about maintaining weight loss. That's just sad. What has been absolutely invaluable to me was going on the internet and networking with other maintainers and learning tips and tricks from them.

-------
BTW - I signed my first autograph last week. I was featured on my organization's magazine (distribution = 200,000) and I've been busy signing them. I apparently have no concept of autograph etiquette. "Wait! Don't sign across your face!" Also I have learned to always keep a sharpie on me as regular pens don't work on magazine covers and I don't want people to go away disappointed.

Magazine cover:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16687118/Don.jpg

Me in my old pants (picture taken 3 days ago):
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...8/IMG_0068.jpg

My friend Bergen who is part of my maintainers network (she's down 150) read just the title of the article and said "F#$& that.... I don't care if it is almost impossible... I'm not going back". Pretty much my attitude as well. I think I would rather die than go back to 350. That's a horrible statement to make and could well be considered fat shaming in it's own right. But my life at 350 pounds was miserable and I hated that existence and never, EVER want to go back there. Bergen and I have settled on "Keeping the weight off is extremely, extremely hard. Being over 300 pounds was even harder."

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Eat nutritious food. Get regular exercise. Be happy with the weight that's right for your body: that's about as healthy as it gets.

*ding* *ding* *ding* And THAT is the right answer. It's where all the leading experts are going. It's the whole theme behind Dr. Freedhoff's "The Diet Fix" book.

Unfortunately I think societal acceptance will never come. I read the comment section after the article. I know I should NEVER read the comments section after any article.... but I spent a good half hour with my punching bag last night working off steam from reading some of the idiotic comments. And it wasn't one-off trolls... these were the "most liked" comments that were downright insulting and full-on fat shaming. I was worried that this thread was going to be as bad... it was better than I expected. Someone did say recently in another thread that CP is a special place where the discussion level is well above the average for the internet.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Dion

One of the readers comments.......

while the study may be complete nonsense using their credentials to discredit their theory is illogical.

Also screw weight loss, if you're "overweight" then you are looking at it wrong, you're healthy or you're unhealthy. Eat some vegetables, ride your bike and throw out the scale. Caring about weight doesn't work because trying to solve your weight is the wrong path to take. Many people that start trying to be healthy gain muscle right away when they start working out a lot because the body needs the muscle badly so they'll gain weight and give up trying to lose weight and being healthy anymore. Just one way obsessing or caring about weight is a waste of energy. People should care more about how regularly and with how much difficulty they go to the bathroom than their weight.