Expert Shares 2 Key Factors For Lasting Weight Loss

According to the World Health Organization, over 2.5 billion adults around the world are currently overweight or obese. This alarming figure underscores the increasing global health crisis.

Understanding the Risks and the Road to Lasting Health

Obesity goes beyond just excess weight – it’s a significant risk factor for a variety of serious health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, heart attacks, and strokes. As awareness about its impact grows, more individuals are seeking answers to the crucial question: How can I lose weight and maintain long-term health?

Obesity is a multifaceted condition with many contributing factors. It’s not merely a result of overeating or lack of exercise.

For many, emotional and psychological stress plays a major role. Work pressures, financial worries, family struggles, and social anxiety can all trigger emotional eating.

Additionally, depression can contribute to obesity by disrupting eating habits and diminishing the motivation for physical activity.

Modern lifestyles also make weight gain more common. Long hours spent sitting—whether at desks, in cars, or on the couch—combined with the constant availability of highly processed, calorie-rich foods, make it easier than ever to put on weight.

“A Complex Problem Requires a Comprehensive Solution”

This mix of behavioral, psychological, social, and environmental influences leads to a scenario where gaining weight becomes harder to prevent and even more difficult to reverse.

Given that obesity has multiple contributing factors, it needs a comprehensive solution. The most successful treatments adopt a multimodal approach, with a team of healthcare professionals—psychologists, nutritionists, and doctors—collaborating to assist individuals in their weight loss efforts.

This collaborative method goes beyond just focusing on diet and exercise, also addressing the emotional and mental health issues that often contribute to the condition.

This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals with prediabetes—a condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels that haven’t yet reached the threshold for diabetes. Studies have demonstrated that lifestyle modifications, when supported by a multidisciplinary team, can greatly lower the chances of progressing to type 2 diabetes.

Although aiming to lose 5–7 percent of body weight is a solid goal for improving health, recent findings from our research team in Tübingen, Germany, suggest that pairing weight loss with effective blood sugar management yields even better outcomes. “Another study provides additional evidence that managing both weight and glucose levels reduces diabetes-related complications, such as kidney problems and damage to small blood vessels.”

Abdominal fat around internal organs

Why is this combination so effective? Research shows that individuals who succeed in both shedding excess weight and reducing their blood sugar often see a decrease in deep abdominal fat – the kind that accumulates around internal organs.

Visceral fat is especially harmful because it promotes inflammation in the body, which can interfere with insulin’s ability to regulate blood sugar effectively.

The good news is that specific lifestyle changes can effectively target visceral fat. Engaging in consistent physical activity—especially aerobic workouts—and following diets rich in polyunsaturated fats (commonly found in foods like nuts, seeds, fish, and plant-based oils) have proven particularly beneficial. One dietary approach that stands out is the Mediterranean diet, which focuses on whole grains, healthy fats, vegetables, and lean protein sources.

When combined, regular exercise and a Mediterranean-style diet not only support weight loss but also promote lasting heart and metabolic health. Still, sticking to these healthy habits long-term is often difficult for many people.

Studies indicate that a large number of individuals who lose weight tend to regain it within a few years. As the weight returns, so do the related health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels.

This pattern of losing and regaining weight can be discouraging and emotionally draining, prompting many people to look for more lasting solutions.

Pharmaceutical treatments and surgical procedures

In recent years, GLP-1 receptor agonists—originally designed to treat diabetes—have emerged as a promising option for weight loss.

These medications mimic the natural hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which is released in the gut after meals. This hormone helps regulate hunger by promoting satiety and stimulates insulin release, helping to lower blood sugar levels.

Despite their effectiveness, GLP-1 drugs are increasingly being used for cosmetic weight loss, which raises ethical and safety concerns. Their long-term effects on individuals without obesity remain largely unknown.

Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, and other more serious complications, so these drugs should only be used under medical supervision.

A key drawback is that the weight loss benefits often reverse once the medication is discontinued, leading to rapid weight regain. As a result, ongoing or even lifelong use may be necessary to sustain the positive outcomes.

For individuals with severe obesity—especially those dealing with serious health issues like type 2 diabetes or heart disease—bariatric surgery can be transformative. Procedures such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy work by shrinking the stomach and, in some cases, changing gut hormone activity.

These surgeries often lead to substantial and lasting weight loss, along with a significantly lower risk of obesity-related conditions, including heart disease and early death. While not suitable for everyone, bariatric surgery remains one of the most effective treatment options when used appropriately.

Meanwhile, researchers are developing new medications that mimic the combined actions of various gut hormones to promote weight loss. Some of these drugs show promise in achieving effects similar to those of surgery, though most are still undergoing clinical trials.

Successful blend

For those starting their weight loss journey, a blend of physical activity and a balanced diet – like the Mediterranean diet – remains the most effective approach. When maintained, these changes can lead to long-term improvements in weight, blood sugar, and overall health.

For individuals with high blood sugar, focusing on visceral fat through a combination of lifestyle adjustments and blood sugar management is particularly crucial. For those dealing with obesity and related health issues, medical treatments and surgical options provide powerful tools to facilitate lasting change.

In the end, achieving lasting weight loss and better health comes down to recognizing that there is no universal solution. The key is finding the right mix of support, strategy, and science tailored to each individual.

Read the original article on: Sciencealert

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