Weight Loss
Why it’s not just about weight loss
Weight loss is the burning of excessive calories from your body. For it to occur, your intake of calories must be less than the number of calories burnt. However, it isn’t as simple as that , because as you lose weight, the rate of weight loss will slow down or plateau after a while. As frustrating as this is, it is a normal phenomenon. It occurs because a series of events which take place in the body, which are NOT under voluntary control (also known as the body’s physiological response).
Some of these include:
- Reduced energy expenditure (i.e. your body becomes more efficient in burning calories, so in the longer term, you end up burning fewer calories)
- Changes in the appetite-regulating hormones, which increase your hunger and reduce your feeling of fullness, after eating (reduced satiety)
So, given the body is “hard wired” to return to its heaviest ever weight, weight maintenance programs are very important.
Also, let’s not forget, that some health benefits of weight loss persist even if a small amount of weight is subsequently regained.
We know more about fat cells (adipose tissue) today than we did 20 years ago. It is easy to visualize fat cells as energy depots, available for times of starvation… however these periods of starvation never seem to arise.
We know more about fat cells (adipose tissue) today than we did 20 years ago. It is easy to visualize fat cells as energy depots, available for times of starvation… however these periods of starvation never seem to arise.
Interestingly however, science has shown us that these ‘fat cells’ (adipose cells) are very active in producing various chemical signals which do a number of things, including;
- Give the brain regular updates on our bodyfat stores “depots”
- Promote inflammation
Therefore, as expected even with moderate weight, blood tests have shown reduced inflammatory markers. Clinically many patients report improved symptoms of their inflammatory conditions.
Non-surgical methods of weight loss are the first line of treatment recommended for weight loss and improved health. However, it is acknowledged that for some individuals with Class III obesity, more intensive therapy may be required, and at the least should be discussed.
Untreated
Untreated the body can develop a number of obesity related complications.