A big part of the weight loss industry likes to focus on overweight Americans. That's where the money is for them. But the truth is that a large part of the world is also overweight.
Studies have shown that in 2000, 45% of adults in the world were overweight. Overweight people are more likely to have chronic health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and knee arthritis. Overweight people also die younger than people of normal weight.
Many overweight people want to lose weight to improve their health and appearance. Because many people want to lose weight and it is difficult to do so, there are many commercial programs to lose weight in the market. Many are expensive, taking advantage of the huge demand. Many of these programs are ineffective.
Every year, millions of Americans and Europeans join commercial and independent programs to lose weight. Health care providers and their obese patients are not familiar with these programs because of the lack of systematic reviews. Unfortunately, many patients and their physicians know little about the effectiveness and safety of these programs.
Few high quality studies have evaluated weight loss programs. Many of the existing studies present the best scenario because they do not include those leaving the program. Evidence to support the effectiveness of major commercial weight loss programs is limited. Patients who plan to use commercial programs to lose weight should realize that these programs have not been studied carefully.
So, do weight loss programs really work? Some do it in the short term, but the long-term results are debatable.
The most effective way to lose weight is what we all want to ignore: behavior change.
Diligently over time.
Changing behavior over time and practicing a regular workout program will help reduce weight and maintain weight. There is no magic potion, pill or program. Change the behavior of what you eat based on how you eat it, how much you eat, and when it is the key to successful long-term weight loss.
It reduces to more calories consumed each day, called "calories burned", than eating, calls eating.
If you are fighting random obesity, start changing your behavior TODAY. Use an intelligent but systematic approach to behavior modification. It will take time, but the long term benefits and permanent weight loss will be there!
Studies have shown that in 2000, 45% of adults in the world were overweight. Overweight people are more likely to have chronic health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and knee arthritis. Overweight people also die younger than people of normal weight.
Many overweight people want to lose weight to improve their health and appearance. Because many people want to lose weight and it is difficult to do so, there are many commercial programs to lose weight in the market. Many are expensive, taking advantage of the huge demand. Many of these programs are ineffective.
Every year, millions of Americans and Europeans join commercial and independent programs to lose weight. Health care providers and their obese patients are not familiar with these programs because of the lack of systematic reviews. Unfortunately, many patients and their physicians know little about the effectiveness and safety of these programs.
Few high quality studies have evaluated weight loss programs. Many of the existing studies present the best scenario because they do not include those leaving the program. Evidence to support the effectiveness of major commercial weight loss programs is limited. Patients who plan to use commercial programs to lose weight should realize that these programs have not been studied carefully.
So, do weight loss programs really work? Some do it in the short term, but the long-term results are debatable.
The most effective way to lose weight is what we all want to ignore: behavior change.
Diligently over time.
Changing behavior over time and practicing a regular workout program will help reduce weight and maintain weight. There is no magic potion, pill or program. Change the behavior of what you eat based on how you eat it, how much you eat, and when it is the key to successful long-term weight loss.
It reduces to more calories consumed each day, called "calories burned", than eating, calls eating.
If you are fighting random obesity, start changing your behavior TODAY. Use an intelligent but systematic approach to behavior modification. It will take time, but the long term benefits and permanent weight loss will be there!
