Health benefits of long-term weight loss in obesity treatment

By Weight Loss Consultant • Related • Filed Under

Weight loss has been universally acknowledged as a critical factor in the treatment and prevention of hypertension, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, cardiorespiratory failure and other chronic degenerative diseases. Sustained moderate weight loss not only shows beneficial effects in obesity, but also in hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases associated with excess body fat. Latest research shows that even a moderate reduction (about 5%) in the initial body weight of an obese patient can decrease, cure or even prevent these diseases. These initial weight loss benefits can be obviously attributed to the direct effects of a low calorie diet because neither physical exercise nor behavioral changes will see a remarkable results in a short term. However, we have to remember that the long term weight control comes from a combination of diet, physical exercise or behavioral changes.

Long-term clinical experiments have shown that losing weight by 10% in a sustained moderate way for obese patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), hypertension or hyperlipidemia, improves glycemic control due to the reduced insulin resistance. Patients with diabetes need to maintain a strict glycemic control without increasing their risk of hypoglycemia. Good glycemic control is an important goal of diabetes treatment. Long-term moderate weight loss also contributes to increased high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides, the improved control or prevention of high blood pressure (hypertension), improved diastolic function as well as the propagation of a cardiac stimulus which reduces the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Moderate weight loss has also shown to be beneficial for patients with cardiovascular risk factors and to improve risk factor clustering.

The health benefits of moderate weight loss are especially remarkable and effective when excessive body fat becomes a major health risk, the symptom of which is usually characterized by rampant visceral fat accumulation. Peripheral obesity often results in higher cholesterol, baseline serum glucose, uric acid, triglyceride, and blood pressure levels are usually higher in the upper body. But such symptoms can be improved by a moderate weight loss. However, a healthy weight loss program should avoid inappropriate, unbalanced diet plan, dangerous weight loss drugs or even more harmful treatments, which are typically found in so called quick weight loss hypes. Such rapid weight loss therapies might cause complications including lean body mass loss, cholelithiasis and associated risk of cholecystitis, a constant decrease in energy expenditure with a high likelihood of weight cycling syndrome (regaining weight). A long term weight loss plan can decrease fasting glucose concentrations, improve insulin action, and reduce the need for some diabetes medications.

So what is a successful and healthy weight loss plan? A program of a balance diet, regular exercise and behavior modification can successfully treat obesity, in some cases, pharmacotherapy or obesity surgery may be involved. Regular physical activity is one of the key methods in maintaining an ideal weight in long term. It helps control weight loss and prevent weight cycling syndrome. It also improves glycemic control and insulin sensitivity, reduces the risk of diabetes development and mortality in diabetes patients. For the obese patient with insulin resistance or diabetes, limiting complex carbohydrates intake may be beneficial. Complex carbohydrates are starchy foods which include starchy vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, and legumes. Some examples of foods high in starchy complex carbohydrates include cereal, bread, rice, pasta, peas, potatoes, dry beans, carrots and corn. Complex carbohydrates are more likely raise blood sugar than other foods and might more insulin production in the body. In patients with insulin resistance, increased quantity of insulin will not help lose fat but only to promote weight gain.

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