Overweight individuals experiencing hunger may face health risks, according to researchers
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell Reports Medicine, researchers challenge the common belief that fasting is an effective method for weight loss in individuals with obesity. The study, which focused on fasting for 48 hours, found that this practice does not activate protective mechanisms for weight loss in those with obesity.
The findings suggest that balanced nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle changes may be more beneficial for health and reducing risks than intermittent fasting. The study provides evidence that fasting may not be a one-size-fits-all solution for weight loss, as the process of weight loss in individuals with obesity during fasting is slower compared to those with normal weight.
The risks and stress on the body from intermittent fasting should be carefully considered, as individuals with obesity remain in a state of inflammation for longer during fasting compared to those with normal weight. This prolonged inflammation may affect immunity, but it does not necessarily mean that fasting is an effective method for weight loss for everyone.
The study's findings challenge the notion that fasting is a quick solution for weight loss in individuals with obesity. Instead, evidence-based alternatives emphasize comprehensive, sustainable lifestyle changes supported by pharmacotherapy when appropriate, tailored to individual patient needs and contexts.
These alternatives include FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, structured lifestyle interventions focusing on diet and physical activity, and behavioral interventions tailored to individual contexts. Anti-obesity medications like Setmelanotide and Plenity have demonstrated safety and efficacy through clinical studies, while lifestyle and behavioral interventions have shown modest weight losses of 5-10% that improve cardiovascular risk factors.
For severe obesity, bariatric surgery remains the most effective intervention, producing average weight losses of 16-18% and significant reductions in mortality and metabolic disease risk. However, it is an invasive procedure reserved for specific cases.
Diet quality modifications, such as reducing ultraprocessed foods and increasing minimally processed foods, are also recommended. Although fasting is one dietary strategy, improving diet quality is crucial for overall health and weight management.
In summary, the study highlights the importance of individualized approaches to weight loss and combating obesity. Instead of relying on fasting, it is more beneficial to focus on a combination of balanced nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle changes. These approaches are effective in achieving clinically meaningful weight loss and improving health outcomes, with ongoing innovation in drug therapies and delivery of behavioral interventions.
Science and nutrition are essential components in the quest for effective weight management, with balanced diet and physical activity being more beneficial for health and reducing risks than intermittent fasting. Fitness and exercise, along with lifestyle changes, should be considered primary approaches for weight loss, as these methods activate protective mechanisms for weight loss more efficiently than fasting in individuals with obesity. Health-and-wellness strategies, including diet quality modifications and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, can lead to clinically meaningful weight loss and improved health outcomes.
