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Let’s set the record straight: dieting does not work for long-term, sustained weight loss. How many people have tried dieting, limiting calories and increasing physical activity just to find their weight plateauing and/or increasing again over time? Unsurprisingly, the answer is a lot of people. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that 80% of people living with obesity regain the weight they initially lost, if not more. Why is this the case? As it turns out, our bodies don’t want us to lose weight, and here’s why:
Fat stores are a safety net
NIH scientist Kevin Hall studied 14 contestants from the popular reality TV show, “The Biggest Loser,” finding that despite initial, impressive weight-loss, 13 of the 14 contestants, on average, regained 66% of the weight they’d lost, with 4 contestants ending up heavier than they were before the show.
Reassuringly, there is a biological reason for this phenomenon. Your body wants to protect itself; as endocrinologist Dr. Bartolome Burguera explains, “Our bodies are designed to store excess energy in fat cells.” It makes sense when you think about it, would you rather be at 5% battery, or 120%?
Starvation mode
More often than not, fad diets involve starving the body, which does more harm than good. CDC research confirms that weight-loss is more complicated than the “calories in vs. calories out” dichotomy. In fact, when you deprive yourself of calories, your body decreases your metabolism in an effort to conserve energy—this means your body does not burn calories as efficiently.
According to research involving contestants from “The Biggest Loser,” contestants’ metabolisms remained low even after they had regained their weight. What’s more, contestants burned approximately 700 less calories per day compared to their metabolic rates pre-”Biggest Loser.”
It needs a personal touch
Research from a 2015 study reported that individuals who eat the same meal will still have unique and varying blood-sugar levels. Similarly, two people could follow the exact same diet, and still end-up with different results. “Some people on a diet program lose 60 pounds and keep it off for two years, and other people follow the same program religiously, and they gain 5 pounds,” says Frank Sacks, a leading weight-loss researcher and professor of cardiovascular disease prevention at T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Evidently, diets are not one-size fits all, and successful, sustained weight-loss is a highly individualized process. With so many causes of obesity, it makes sense that individuals need individualized approaches to lose weight for the long-term.
To learn more about how you can benefit from bariatric surgery, check out the patient resources on our website, and schedule a consultation. Our offices are open, and our team of surgeons, dietitians, and psychologists will be there to support you every step of the way through your bariatric journey.
START YOUR JOURNEY
When it’s time to start a successful weight-loss journey, it’s time to call NYBG! We’re the best practice around and our numbers prove it:
- 21 skilled surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics, 2 Plastic Surgeons, and 20 PA’s
- 30,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
- The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
- Access to online seminars, support groups, cooking demos, and Q&A sessions
- 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
- Multiple offices located in three states; NY, NJ, CT
- Since 2000, we boast over 20 years of success!
Our commitment to patient success and excellence has earned us accreditation from the Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This prestigious achievement recognizes only the top bariatric practices. Stop waiting; start achieving better health today. Together, we’ve got this!
The New York Bariatric Group is implementing and enforcing strict guidelines put out by the Center of Disease Control and the Department of Health in order to keep our staff and patients safe.
We are offering in-person and virtual consultations to ensure that everyone is able to get the information and care they deserve without feeling pressure to leave their home.
