Health advocates and public health officials say they are optimistic about the possibility of a major breakthrough in the fight against obesity.
But researchers are warning that it could take years to see real results.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association both issued a joint statement this week saying the research and evidence supporting obesity-related medical interventions is “limited,” while the National Institutes of Health has cautioned that there is “significant evidence” that the obesity-reducing benefits are limited.
In fact, the research suggests the obesity problem is worse than many researchers originally thought.
“This is not a new problem,” said Dr. James S. Klug, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
More than 20 years ago, he wrote, “a number of studies showed that the best predictor of success in weight loss was diet.
It is true that there are people who have no ability to lose weight on their own, but the weight loss success rate is greater for those who eat and exercise.””
What we know now is that the body responds to calories,” he continued.
To achieve weight loss, it needs “calories from fat.”
In other words, it wants to get rid of the fat and get back to normal weight.
As you might expect, this involves eating more calories and getting out of the habit of eating.
According to a recent review by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the only way to lose fat and lose weight is to exercise more.
What’s more, exercise can help people lose weight.
The review noted that exercise increases fat loss, reduces insulin resistance, increases blood pressure and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers say the research has been “incredibly positive” and that the evidence is clear.
However, Dr. Klung noted that the research is not perfect and that there may be limitations to the research.
For instance, he noted that more research is needed to establish that the weight gain prevention methods are effective.
Dr. Klin’s concern is that even with this “positive” evidence, there are limitations to what can be achieved.
And this is where the “lifter” program, which offers exercise and weight loss to people who want to lose more weight, is potentially useful.
According the American Association of Sport Medicine, about 2.3 million Americans are classified as obese, meaning they have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30, which is considered overweight.
Those who are obese are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, and stroke than the general population.
Lifting weights, Dr Klug said, is an effective way to get that weight off, because “the body will be working to maintain weight.”
And Dr. S. Michael Tompkins, director of the Obesity Prevention Program at New York University Langone Medical Center, said the program is “working.”
“The weight loss program is really a powerful tool in the battle against obesity,” he said.
Experts agree that the more weight we lose, the better our chances of maintaining that weight.
Dr. Tompkin said that if you are overweight and want to have a healthy body weight, you should be taking the LIFT program.
While the program does not have any specific goals, Dr Tompokkins said, it is designed to help you achieve weight-loss goals, which include losing the extra pounds and gaining some muscle.
He also added that the program offers “a very good source of guidance” to help people understand what their bodies want.
Still, Dr S. Tommaso Armani, a clinical professor of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, said that even though LIFT is based on the premise that a person should lose weight if they are overweight, there is a “big difference between gaining weight and losing it.”
He said there are “very specific metabolic pathways” that need to be changed in order to lose body fat.
Some people may be able to do this in a very short amount of time, but he added that there can be “hiccups.”
Dr Tompkinson said that, while LIFT has the potential to be effective, it may not be the best way to achieve weight maintenance.
If you want to go a step further, he said, you can also “take the whole diet and exercise approach.”
The program, Dr Armanisaid, is a proven way to “make a significant impact in your weight loss.”
To learn more about LIFT and how to take part, visit the LIFEST program website.
