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Physical activity plays a crucial role in weight loss programs. Research has shown that despite no significant increase in caloric intake in the United States over the past few decades, obesity rates have significantly increased, which many experts contribute to the decrease in physical activity. However, it should be noted that solely exercising without caloric restriction may not effectively promote weight loss due to the high volume and intensity of physical activity required to create an energy deficit that results in acceptable weight loss rates.
That being said, physical activity is essential for maintaining long-term weight management. It offers cardiovascular benefits, prevents muscle loss during weight loss, promotes better adherence to dietary habits, and directly reduces visceral fat mass. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days to reduce the risk of chronic illness. For preventing weight gain, 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on most days are recommended. To maintain weight loss, 60 to 90 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily is suggested. Small lifestyle changes, such as parking further away from the store entrance and taking the stairs instead of elevators, can also increase energy expenditure.
Meal replacement drinks are commonly used for weight loss purposes. They differ from VLCDs in that they are intended to replace one or two meals per day rather than the entire day’s intake and can be purchased over the counter. By targeting a troublesome meal with a drink of known macronutrient and energy content, individuals can more easily achieve their desired energy intake. While few studies have examined the efficacy of meal replacement drinks for weight loss, a recent 27-month study found that individuals following a low-calorie plan with two meal replacement drinks per day experienced greater weight loss than those on a conventional low-calorie plan. Meal replacement drinks may also be useful for weight maintenance or preventing weight gain. One study found that individuals participating in a self-management meal replacement drink program were more successful in preventing weight gain over a five-year period than matched controls. However, further research is necessary to fully evaluate the effectiveness of this approach to weight loss.
Body dysmorphia is a concern after bariatric surgery, which is often seen as a last resort for obese individuals who have not succeeded in losing weight through diet and exercise. Although the surgery aims to help patients lose significant amounts of weight, some individuals may fail to shed as many pounds due to disordered eating behaviors, such as vomiting or gastric dumping. Numerous studies have explored the impact of weight loss surgery on quality of life (QoL) and body image, with most reporting an improvement in these areas following the procedure. Anxiety and depression symptoms also tend to improve with greater weight loss. However, excess skin is a common result of bariatric surgery, with many patients opting for reconstructive cosmetic surgery to remove skin folds. The development of excess skin can cause frustration and anxiety and sometimes prevent further weight loss. In some cases, individuals may suffer psychologically post-surgery due to the morphologic repercussions of the procedure, making body image a source of deep frustration and humiliation. Although the majority of individuals who undergo abdominoplasty report satisfaction, those who require cosmetic or body contouring procedures still show high levels of body dissatisfaction. These individuals may have psychological issues that are still not fully understood, which could indicate that preoperative patients display symptoms of BDD regardless of the surgical procedures.
Key Takeaways:
- Commercial weight-loss programs offer a variety of weight-loss diets, with or without individual or group counseling.
- The most successful programs offer some combination of behavior modification, convenience, cooking and menu planning, lifestyle management, motivation, nutrition advice, daily exercise plans, slow and steady weight loss, strong support, and weight maintenance.
- When evaluating commercial weight-loss programs, it’s important to consider specific meal plans, the rate of weight loss, credentials of program leaders, short- and long-term health risks, personalized counseling, exercise component, special foods and supplements, membership costs, and follow-up programs.
- Lena’s story highlights the impact of early feeding on lifelong eating habits and the importance of providing a healthy start for children to prevent overweight and obesity.
