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The ups and downs of weight loss: Success not always measured on the scale
TORONTO - With so many Canadians engaged in a battle against their bulging waistlines, the Heart and Stroke Foundation decided to find out more about what tactics they're using, how much they're spending and how successful they are in keeping the weight off.
Sixty-two per cent of those who responded to an online survey said they intentionally lost five or more pounds over the last two years but failed to keep the weight off. And 70 per cent of those who were overweight or obese regained it all, or even more.
Those aged 20 to 39 who were overweight or obese were most likely to put their pocketbook behind their weight-loss efforts. Half of this group reported expenditures such as joining a gym or buying special foods or supplements. And of those who spent money, 42 per cent said they shelled out $500 or more on their weight loss attempt.
Dr. Sean Wharton, an internal medicine specialist who focuses on weight management, said people should not expect a quick fix.
"Success in weight management is not always measured on the scale," he said from Burlington, Ont.
"Looking for that measurement on the scale to come down quickly - that's not what you should be looking for. You should be looking for health changes. You should be looking for a behavioural change."
Almost 2,000 Canadians responded to the questionnaire, and results were released Wednesday.
Thirty-six per cent of the respondents aged 20 to 69 bought meal replacement shakes or bars, while 26 per cent said they purchased over-the-counter weight loss supplements or herbs.
While Wharton is supportive of fitness efforts and working out, he's less than enthusiastic about some of the other methods employed by those seeking to shed pounds.
"A meal replacement can be used if it's used properly. If you're using only meal replacements the entire day, for months and months, then that's clearly going to be a problem," he said.
He's particularly emphatic in his distaste for commercial products on pharmacy shelves that aren't backed by evidence yet target people who are hoping to become slim and svelte.
"It is shocking that they are still being sold. We certainly would not sell mustard paste to rub on your back to help cure your prostate cancer, but for some strange reason we are still allowing from a legislation standpoint, and a legal standpoint, we're still allowing the sale of products that have no evidence."
Dr. Marco Di Buono, director of research for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, said a leading public health concern in Canada is obesity and problems associated with being overweight.
Excess weight and body fat around the middle can lead to high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and Type 2 diabetes, and increase the chances of heart disease and stroke, he said.
Wharton said most physicians know that elevated waist circumference can increase the risk of these various metabolic conditions, but usually don't pull out a measuring tape.
"If more physicians have the tools to make an impact on getting that waist circumference down, then maybe more of them would actually measure it to let the patient know - 'Right now, your waist circumference is at 45 inches. I think that we could work together to get you down."'
The survey indicated that 70 per cent of respondents would feel comfortable talking with their doctor about their weight. But only one out of four overweight respondents said their doctors had counselled them to lose weight.
Seeking the help of a family doctor, dietitian, or government-or physician-run weight management centre is advised, Wharton said, as well as trying to understand the nutritional content of food by learning how to read labels properly.
The foundation has introduced a free 12-session healthy weight action plan on its website, which has been applauded for its "positive and non-judgmental tone" by Dr. Arya Sharma, obesity research chair at the University of Alberta.
Wharton said that patients should not embark on plans to lose weight with really high expectations.
"They should look to lose five to 10 per cent as a successful amount."
A recent report from the foundation indicated that 2.5 million Canadians in the 20-39 age group are overweight or obese.
- The Canadian Press -
TORONTO - With so many Canadians engaged in a battle against their bulging waistlines, the Heart and Stroke Foundation decided to find out more about what tactics they're using, how much they're spending and how successful they are in keeping the weight off.
Sixty-two per cent of those who responded to an online survey said they intentionally lost five or more pounds over the last two years but failed to keep the weight off. And 70 per cent of those who were overweight or obese regained it all, or even more.
Those aged 20 to 39 who were overweight or obese were most likely to put their pocketbook behind their weight-loss efforts. Half of this group reported expenditures such as joining a gym or buying special foods or supplements. And of those who spent money, 42 per cent said they shelled out $500 or more on their weight loss attempt.
Dr. Sean Wharton, an internal medicine specialist who focuses on weight management, said people should not expect a quick fix.
"Success in weight management is not always measured on the scale," he said from Burlington, Ont.
"Looking for that measurement on the scale to come down quickly - that's not what you should be looking for. You should be looking for health changes. You should be looking for a behavioural change."
Almost 2,000 Canadians responded to the questionnaire, and results were released Wednesday.
Thirty-six per cent of the respondents aged 20 to 69 bought meal replacement shakes or bars, while 26 per cent said they purchased over-the-counter weight loss supplements or herbs.
While Wharton is supportive of fitness efforts and working out, he's less than enthusiastic about some of the other methods employed by those seeking to shed pounds.
"A meal replacement can be used if it's used properly. If you're using only meal replacements the entire day, for months and months, then that's clearly going to be a problem," he said.
He's particularly emphatic in his distaste for commercial products on pharmacy shelves that aren't backed by evidence yet target people who are hoping to become slim and svelte.
"It is shocking that they are still being sold. We certainly would not sell mustard paste to rub on your back to help cure your prostate cancer, but for some strange reason we are still allowing from a legislation standpoint, and a legal standpoint, we're still allowing the sale of products that have no evidence."
Dr. Marco Di Buono, director of research for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, said a leading public health concern in Canada is obesity and problems associated with being overweight.
Excess weight and body fat around the middle can lead to high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and Type 2 diabetes, and increase the chances of heart disease and stroke, he said.
Wharton said most physicians know that elevated waist circumference can increase the risk of these various metabolic conditions, but usually don't pull out a measuring tape.
"If more physicians have the tools to make an impact on getting that waist circumference down, then maybe more of them would actually measure it to let the patient know - 'Right now, your waist circumference is at 45 inches. I think that we could work together to get you down."'
The survey indicated that 70 per cent of respondents would feel comfortable talking with their doctor about their weight. But only one out of four overweight respondents said their doctors had counselled them to lose weight.
Seeking the help of a family doctor, dietitian, or government-or physician-run weight management centre is advised, Wharton said, as well as trying to understand the nutritional content of food by learning how to read labels properly.
The foundation has introduced a free 12-session healthy weight action plan on its website, which has been applauded for its "positive and non-judgmental tone" by Dr. Arya Sharma, obesity research chair at the University of Alberta.
Wharton said that patients should not embark on plans to lose weight with really high expectations.
"They should look to lose five to 10 per cent as a successful amount."
A recent report from the foundation indicated that 2.5 million Canadians in the 20-39 age group are overweight or obese.
- The Canadian Press -
