Health Topics for Nutrition

Weight Loss That Is Hazardous

Obesity, being more than 20 percent overfat, is a significant health problem in this country. In fact, more Americans are obese today than any other time in our history. Getting down to your ideal weight, or one that is healthy for you, is a worthy goal, but how you do it is just as important.

Quick weight loss, without real change in eating habits and exercise, will not last. It is actually more unhealthy to yo-yo, meaning lose, gain, lose, and regain weight, than it is to remain overweight. In addition, each time the body yo-yos, muscle is lost, fat is gained, and the body's metabolism becomes less efficient to burn fat. This makes it even harder to lose weight the next time.

Our desire for quick and painless weight loss has led to many unhealthy diets marketed by the weight loss industry.

To evaluate a weight loss diet, ask the following:

• Does the diet promise weight loss of more than two pounds per week?

• Does the diet give testimonials from people who have used the program and had unbelievable success?

• Does the diet advise you to eat an excess of any one particular food or nutrient (for example, grapefruit, cabbage, or protein)?

• Does the person who developed the diet or product hold a questionable credential or degree from an unknown educational institution?

• Are you expected to consume less than 1200 calories each day?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, the diet is probably NOT safe or effective.

A successful fat loss and maintenance program includes lifestyle changes that include:

• appropriate eating behaviors

• nutritionally balanced, low-fat, high fiber food selections and

• regular aerobic exercise

A weight loss of one to two pounds per week is best. Permanent fat loss requires patience. It is not healthy to lose weight in 5 months that may have taken 5 years to put on. Remember, anyone can lose weight. However, keeping it off is the problem, because most people go back to their unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyle habits. This is why people are caught up in the yo-yo syndrome and are getting fatter and fatter.

Successful and permanent fat loss programs incorporate lifestyle changes that include appropriate habits of diet and exercise that are practiced for a lifetime. If you are serious about slimming down for life, talk to your healthcare provider or registered dietitian for help.

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