Contrary to the belief that gradual weight loss produces the best results, scientists are proving that losing weight rapidly in the early stages of obesity treatment leads to the shedding of more pounds for longer, according to the International Journal of Behavioral medicine.
According to researchers, obesity treatment brings the desired results if patients manage to lose at least 10 percent of their weight loss. starting weight and not gain weight in a year. However, experts disagree as to whether you should start with minor changes and lose weight slowly, or try to get rid of unnecessary kilograms as soon as possible from the very beginning of the treatment.
Previous studies have not clarified this issue. Until now, it was believed that a gradual loss of weight in the initial period reduces the risk of returning lost kilograms and helps to maintain the effect of the treatment later. Recently, however, it has been observed that an initial rapid weight loss results in better results for patients in the long term.
Lisa Nackers from the University of Florida analyzed data on 262 middle-aged women who participated in a six-month program that assumed an average loss of 0,45 kg per week through lower caloric intake and increased exercise. For the next year, a support program was carried out, during which the ladies participated in group sessions and received motivating messages.
Nackers divided the women into three groups depending on how much weight they managed to lose in the first month of treatment and after six and eighteen months respectively. It turned out that the ladies who lost the most weight in the first month at the end of the observation weighed less than those who initially lost less than 0,68 kg per week. Moreover, in this group, the weight loss effects lasted longer, and the risk of gaining weight again was lower.
According to the researcher, the probability of getting rid of 10 percent. the initial body weight over 18 months is five times higher for women who lose 0,68 kg per week at the start of treatment and three times higher for women who lose 0,23 kg to 0,68 kg compared to those who successfully lost weight at the start of treatment. lose less than 0,23 kg in one week.
As summarized by Nackers, this proves that significant changes should be made in the first weeks of losing weight, including both diet and physical activity (PAP).