Researchers Look at Obesity Myths

cmfruin2012

From an article in this week's New England Journal of Medicine (http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1208051)

Several researchers contributed to a new article examining many of the myths and presumptions surrounding obesity and weight loss. Interestingly, many of the report's authors have deep financial ties to food, beverage, and weight-loss product makers (and their disclosures of their financial interests take up more than half a page of fine print). So one has to wonder whether the purpose of the article is to promote drugs, meal replacement products and bariatric surgery -- or to share findings backed by evidence and science.

Nevertheless -- here are some of the "findings" of the report:

Among the other myths or assumptions the authors cite, based on their review of the most rigorous studies on each topic:

— Myth: Small changes in diet or exercise lead to large, long-term weight changes. Fact: The body adapts to changes, so small steps to cut calories don't have the same effect over time, studies suggest. At least one outside expert agrees with the authors that the "small changes" concept is based on an "oversimplified" 3,500-calorie rule, that adding or cutting that many calories alters weight by one pound.

— Myth: School gym classes have a big impact on kids' weight. Fact: Classes typically are not long, often or intense enough to make much difference.

— Myth: Losing a lot of weight quickly is worse than losing a little slowly over the long term. Fact: Although many dieters regain weight, those who lose a lot to start with often end up at a lower weight than people who drop more modest amounts.

— Myth: Snacking leads to weight gain. Fact: No high quality studies support that, the authors say.

— Myth: Regularly eating breakfast helps prevent obesity. Fact: Two studies found no effect on weight and one suggested that the effect depended on whether people were used to skipping breakfast or not.

— Myth: Setting overly ambitious goals leads to frustration and less weight loss. Fact: Some studies suggest people do better with high goals.



My two cents -- every BODY and everybody is different. Different things work for different people. There are some basic truths with respect to human nutrition, physiology, etc. But our personalities, habits, metabolisms, age, gender, genetics, etc. all contribute to our ability to gain and lose weight. It is useful to be mindful of all the information out there and recommendations offered by others -- but a diet plan/lifestyle modification that is successful will ultimately be one that is personally crafted to your needs.

sbjmorgan

I find it really hard to touch these "findings" with a ten foot pole, but it is interesting because I always suspected PE classes may not do much.

Bumbeen

The body does adapt to very small changes in calorie intake. I do not gain or lose any weight within a range of 2600-3400kcal. If i eat 3400 all that happens is I have to turn the thermostat down and I can't sit still.

If I eat 2600 then I have to turn the thermostat up because I'm cold all the time..

My weight does not change though..

CharRicho

I saw this paper discussed on the news today, and while I do think it has some valid points, the doctor being interviewed on the news pointed out that this sponsors for this study included the makers of weight loss and meal replacement products, and... surprise surprise, the study encouraged the use of those very things.

So, you can't take too much out of just one study. As others have said, weight loss is a very personal thing and what works for one person won't work for another. I wouldn't let one study change what you're doing.

One other thing the paper says is that sex doesn't burn as many calories as people think it does, which apparently is actually true, unfortunately.