Does Weight Loss Actually Improve Health?

.....Short term health benefits secondary to weight loss have been reported. However, very few people have lost weight and kept it off. No research studies are available to show the true benefits of long-term weight loss.¹

Short-term benefits of weight loss:

• In one study patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes demonstrated lower risk for atherosclerosis through reduction of hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia when placed on a 26 day program.²
• Studies have also shown that weight loss can lower the risk for hypertension and possibly diabetes mellitus, improve serum glucose control in diabetic clients, decrease blood pressure for hypertensive patients, and improve lipoprotein levels.³

Since 95% of all individuals regain any lost weight within five years, it remains to be determined whether short-term benefits have any lasting effect on health.⁴

References

Back to Unit 3 A: The Failures of The Old Paradigm

© Spring 2003