A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has shown that greater adherence to certain behaviors, including maintaining a healthy diet and exercising, are linked to greater weight loss. However, weight loss strategies such as using diet pills and skipping meals are associated with minimal weight loss.
The study included over 20,000 Americans who were part of the 2007–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. Participants were assessed for their history of weight loss as well as their participation in “Life’s Essential 8” behaviors, which are behaviors the American Heart Association (AHA) has identified as keys to improving and maintaining cardiovascular health. Life’s Essential 8 includes recommendations regarding body weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, physical activity, smoking, diet, and sleep. These factors were measured in the participants via questionnaires that asked about their smoking status, exercise habits, average sleep duration per night, weight history, weight loss strategies, and diet in the last 24 hours. Additionally, participants had a health exam and blood tests to measure their body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. They were assessed on whether they had intentionally lost 5% or more of their body weight in the past year (defined as “clinically significant weight loss”) vs. maintaining their weight, gaining weight, or losing less than 5% of their body weight.
Overall, those who achieved clinically significant weight loss tended to have higher diet quality, more physical activity, and lower cholesterol than those without clinically significant weight loss. In particular, the weight loss group tended to have dietary patterns including eating more protein, more whole grains, and less added sugar. However, the weight loss group also had higher average BMIs, less sleep, and higher blood sugar. The group that did not lose significant weight was more likely to participate in less healthy diet behaviors, including skipping meals, taking diet pills, taking laxatives, vomiting, smoking, and participating in low-carb or liquid diets.
One of the authors noted that those who did not lose significant weight tended to use non-evidence-based weight loss methods that were not sustainable. Currently, about 73% of the US population is overweight or obese, and that number is expected to rise in the coming years. Unhealthy weight is associated with many health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Participating in and maintaining healthy behaviors, as recommended by the AHA, is a key to living a longer, healthier life.
Sources: JAHA, Science Daily
