The health benefits and risks of weight loss
Health benefits of weight loss
There are considerable health risks associated with being overweight or obese. So, the health benefits of losing weight and getting to a healthy weight can result in the reduction and sometimes reversal of these risks. Below are some of the health benefits:
Benefits
- Reduced risk of many chronic conditions
- Improved immune response to common diseases like colds and flu
- Avoiding type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes (high blood glucose)
- Improved blood glucose control
- Staying heart healthy
- Improved sleep
- Improved mobility and pain-free joints
- Improved energy and vitality
- Improved fertility
- Improved mental health
- improved hormone control
- improved digestion
Even a drop of 10-15% can have health benefits that improve our quality of life.
Mental health
Weight loss can also lead to improvements in mental health. This can come from improved body image, self-esteem and improved quality of life from reduction in symptoms of weight related disease. eg. less pain
People of healthy weight also have less incidence of anxiety, depression and stress. The changes that occur in our body that improve our health also improve our reaction to stress.
Potential risks
While weight loss for those who are overweight or obese has a profound benefit for long-term health, there are also some risks that people should be aware of. We can manage some of the risks by losing weight at an appropriate rate, and paying attention to symptoms to mitigate issues.
- Decreases in metabolism
- Change in fluid and electrolyte imbalance
- The formation of gall stones
- The possibility of liver damage
- Changes in mental health
Avoiding rapid weight loss can address many of these risks.
Rapid weight loss can also result in muscle loss where our body consumes protein when there are not enough calories. Metabolism can slow when we lose weight. This can result in weight gain when a person stops dieting or exercising. Bone density can also be reduced.
Where weight loss occurs without a switch to nutritious eating, malnutrition can be a concern. This is why calories should not be the only concern when looking at diet.
A special note on mental health challenges during weight loss.
Care should always be taken to avoid disordered eating such as binge eating, anorexia and obsessive habits that can cause anxiety. This is where a mindful approach focused on health and balance. Depression, anxiety and stress may increase particularly when a person undertakes extreme and rapid weight loss.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603752<,/small>