Is Weight Loss Maintenance Possible? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Many overweight or obese individuals desire to lose weight because of the health benefits that are associated with a less body mass index. Indeed, scientific evidence suggests that overweight/obese individuals have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes(Ma et al., 2017). As such, weight loss has been recommended as one of the most effective interventions against weight-related ailments. Despite overwhelming evidence suggesting that intentional weight loss is realizable, some research has found that consistent weight loss over a prolonged period may not be possible after all. This has created a perception among the public that one can never succeed at long-term weight loss (Wing & Phelan, 2005). This paper argues that long-term maintenance of weight loss is attainable.

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Successful long-term weight loss has been described as maintenance of a weight loss of between 5% and 10% for at least one year (Montesi, 2016).Although the weight loss appears modest, evidence suggests that it cannot be achieved especially in the context of the diet of a majority of Americans. One study suggests that maintenance of weight loss is not realizable through the conventional methods such as exercise, dietary prescriptions, and pharmacological treatment. The study suggests that the only assured way one can maintain long-term weight loss is through shrinking of the stomach (Crowe, 2014). Some research findings also suggest that diet cannot help in the maintenance of weight nor can exercise help weight loss patients experience a consistent weight loss (Wing & Phelan, 2005; Ingraham, 2015; Wiklund, 2016).This is because steady weight loss is hindered by a complex interaction of biological, environmental, behavioral and cognitive factors(Montesi, 2016).This complex outcome makes this school of thought conclude that developing a mechanism that regulates the interaction of the enlisted factors optimally is not possible hence impossible to maintain weight loss. However, evidence from comprehensive studies suggests that some individuals can achieve consistent weight loss with proper modification of overweight/obesity-causing factors.

Overwhelming scientific evidence has consistently shown that under the right behavioral and cognitive environments, obese persons can maintain a weight loss over a long period. In 6 to 15 years followed-up study of initially overweight adults, Sarlio-Lahteenkorva, Rissanen, and Kaprio (2000) found that 6 percent of all the overweight adults lost weight and maintained a weight loss of at least 5 percent over the period of study. In particular, the study found that failure to maintain weight loss among men was associated with stressful life and alcoholism whereas failure to maintain weight loss in women was attributed to low health status. The findings of this study suggest that a less stressful lifestyle and proper diet can be helpful for obese /overweight persons to succeed in maintaining long-term weight loss.

Evidence obtained from the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) gives convincing results about the possibility of consistently losing weight for overweight persons. In a study that sought to investigate data provided by the NWCR, Wing and Phelan (2005) find that 20 % (translating to 4000 individuals) of initially overweight persons maintained a consistent weight loss pattern over a period of two to five years. The study cites continued adherence the prescribed diet, low level of depression, physical exercises, and medical triggers as the factors responsible for the consistent weight loss. Like Sarlio-Lahteenkorva et al.(2000), this study emphasizes the role appropriate diet and positive cognitive factors play in enabling overweight individuals to maintain weight loss. Equally, Butryn et al. (2010) find that modification of lifestyle plays a vital role in ensuring a consistent weight loss among overweight adolescents. The study further establishes that an approach that incorporates lifestyle modifications, medication and teaching of patients about weight loss records higher results in ensuring consistent weight loss among adolescents. These findings suggest that maintenance of weight loss can be achieved when aspiring weight losers are subjected to a variety of weight loss efforts.

Long term weight loss can be maintained under certain circumstances. In more recent studies, evidence remains consistent on the ability of overweight/obese persons to maintain weight loss with a combination of several interventions. For instance, between 1996 and 2006, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES) examined weight loss of 14, 306 American adults to ascertain their ability to lose weight consistently. The study finds that at least one out of six initially overweight American adults managed to maintain a weight loss of at least 10 percent for one year (Montesi, 2016).However, Montesi (2016) notes that studies elsewhere have indicated that 50 percent of initially overweight persons under a weight reduction program return to their original weight after five years. Evidently, those who resume their initial weight after a long-term weight loss pattern seem to deviate from the prescriptions of the reduction program.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it is evident that the perception that long-term maintenance of weight loss is impossible is untrue. Studies have shown that adherence to prescribed diet, physical exercises, a stress-free lifestyle, patient education, and medication can enable overweight/ obese patients maintain weight loss for a period beyond one year. However, the process of weight loss is influenced by a complex interaction between biological, cognitive environmental and behavioral factors. As such, a weight loss program that considers all the factors that affect the overall well-being of the patient is likely to achieve long-term maintenance of weight loss.

References

Butryn, M. L., Wadden, T. A., Rukstalis, M. R., Bishop-Gilyard, C., Xanthopoulos, M. S., Louden, D., & Berkowitz, R. I. (2010). Maintenance of weight loss in adolescents: Current status and future directions. Journal of Obesity, 2010(1), 1-12. doi:10.1155/2010/789280

Crowe, K. (Writer). (2014, June 4). Obesity research confirms long-term weight loss almost impossible: No known cure for obesity except surgically shrinking the stomach [Television series episode]. Toronto: Canadian Broadcast Corporation.

Ma, C., Avenell, A., Bolland, M., Hudson, J., Stewart, F., Robertson, C., MacLennan, G. (2017). Effects of weight loss interventions for adults who are obese on mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, j4849. doi:10.1136/bmj.j4849

Sarlio-Lahteenkorva, S., Rissanen, A., & Kaprio, J. (2000). A descriptive study of weight loss maintenance: 6 and 15 year follow-up of initially overweight adults. International Journal of Obesity, 24(1), 116-125. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0801094

Wiklund, P. (2016). The role of physical activity and exercise in obesity and weight management: Time for critical appraisal. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 5(2), 151-154. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2016.04.001

Wing, R. R., & Phelan, S. (2005). Long-term weight loss maintenance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 82(1), 222S-225S. doi:10.1093/ajcn.82.1.222s