Weight and health: a serious challenge
New DelhiNowadays, obesity and overweight have become a serious problem for global health. According to estimates, about 2.5 billion adults are affected by this problem. In such a situation, continuous research is going on on various methods to lose weight like diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.
ICMR study
A study conducted by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, based in Hyderabad, analyzed the effect of different lifestyle patterns on weight and metabolic health. The study included 112 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which included data from 2,332 randomized controlled trials and approximately 2.48 lakh participants.
Combination of diet and physical activity
According to the study's findings, programs combining diet and physical activity led to weight loss as well as improved heart and metabolic health. In follow-up lasting more than 12 months, this combination led to approximately 3.68 kg more weight loss than the comparison group.
Effect of low calorie diet
The greatest weight loss effect was seen in the first three months under the low-calorie diet, with approximately 2.64 kg more weight lost than the comparison group. However, long-term weight control requires regular physical activity and positive behavioral changes, rather than diet alone.
importance of health benefits
An important finding of this study is that extreme weight loss is not always necessary for health benefits. Research has shown that the benefits of lifestyle improvements do not depend on the amount of weight loss. Therefore, even if a person does not reach the commonly prescribed '5 to 10 percent weight loss' goal, a nutritious diet, regular exercise and a positive lifestyle can still be extremely beneficial to his or her health.