Weight Loss Prevention

Support
Many doctors give overweight patients a pill, a pep talk, and a pamphlet about diet and exercise, but that combination leads only to minor weight loss. When overweight people attend group sessions aimed at changing eating and exercise patterns, keep daily records of food intake and exercise, and eat a specific low-calorie diet the outcome is much more successful. Group sessions where participants are given information and help on how to make lifestyle changes appear to improve the chances of losing weight and keeping it off. Such changes may include shopping from a list, storing foods out of sight, keeping portion sizes under control, and avoiding fast-food restaurants.

Exercise
According to most short-term studies, the effect of exercise alone (without dietary restriction) on weight loss is small, partly because muscle mass often increases even while fat tissue is reduced, and perhaps because some exercising people will experience increased appetites. The long-term effect of regular exercise on weight loss is much better, and exercise appears to help people maintain weight loss. People who have successfully maintained weight loss for over two years report continuing high levels of physical activity. Combining exercise with healthier eating habits results in the best short- and long-term effects on weight loss, and should reduce the risk of many serious diseases. ...