Study finds obese people may struggle to reach a healthy weight

ConclusionThis research makes use of a general practice database providing just under 10 years of BMI observations for a large, nationally representative UK sample. It demonstrates that low proportions of people in the obese categories were able to achieve a normal BMI over a year of follow-up, and the common problem of weight cycling. However, there are points to consider when interpreting these results: The probability of obtaining a normal BMI over a year was very low: only 1 in 210 for men and 1 in 124 for women in the "simple obese" category of 30 to 35kg/m2, and much lower than that for the higher categories. However, these particular figures are only the proportions per year, and we don’t know how many people were attempting to lose weight, or how they were trying to do this. Other analyses showed a better picture – for example, about 1 in 5 obese people managed to reduce their BMI by at least 1 point and not increase it during follow-up. Though the people in this study had 3 or more BMI measurements, we don’t know how long after the first measurement they were taken. Despite the study period being 10 years, the BMI measures may have been over the period of only 1 or 2 years. Reaching a normal BMI may not be a realistic goal in the short term, particularly if a person is in the severe to super obese categories. Achieving steady weight loss may be a better goal and, encouragingly, much higher proportions were able to achieve 5% or more weight los...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Obesity Source Type: news