Weight Loss and Metabolic Health
What Is Maintaining a Healthy Weight Important?
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for overall health. It is well known that obesity is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality,1 associated with an array of health issues such as dyslipidemia (ie, imbalance of blood lipid levels), coronary artery disease (ie, diseases of the heart’s blood vessels), diabetes, sleep apnea, liver disease, and certain types of cancers.2
Weight Loss and Heart Health
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for heart health. Obesity is associated with various heart-related issues including dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease.1,2 Current guidelines note that body mass index is linearly associated with increased blood pressure,3 one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease,4,5 and that weight loss can significantly improve both blood pressure and lipid profile.3 Various studies have demonstrated this, with studies on weight loss in obese and overweight individuals with diabetes finding significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors including improved blood pressure, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and glycemia.6 Guidelines recommend making changes to dietary patterns that yield 500-750 kcal/day energy deficit for weight loss, including increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables while decreasing the intake of ultra-processed foods and alcohol.
Weight Loss and Diabetes
There is strong evidence suggesting that obesity is the greatest risk factor for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with estimates that nearly 90% of T2DM can be attributed to obesity.7 Excess visceral and abdominal adiposity are associated with metabolic abnormalities linked with the development of T2DM such as insulin resistance, pancreatic b-cell dysfunction, and dyslipidemia.8,9 On the other hand, a 5% weight loss has been shown to improve the insulin sensitivity of adipose tissue, the liver, and skeletal muscle as well as increase b-cell function.8,10 Rigorous randomized controlled trials have consistently shown that weight loss can help manage the illness and even delay the onset of T2DM.11–14 Individuals with T2DM should focus on making healthy lifestyle changes early on in their illness. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating a healthy diet and engaging in physical activity to achieve a 500-750 kcal/day energy deficit.15,16
Weight Loss and Metabolic Syndrome
Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is a defining characteristic of metabolic syndrome.17–19 The prevalence of metabolic syndrome often corresponds with the prevalence of obesity, and each component of the metabolic syndrome has been shown to be closely related to weight gain, especially abdominal adiposity and waist circumference.20,21 It is postulated that increased abdominal adiposity may be the primary trigger in the development of metabolic syndrome. Intra-abdominal fat plays an important endocrine role, and an increase in its mass can disrupt the release of hormonal factors that regulate metabolism. Thus, the management of metabolic syndrome heavily focuses on lifestyle changes that promote healthy weight loss.21 Studies have found that achieving weight loss (5-10% of body weight) through diet and exercise can significantly improve all components of metabolic syndrome.21–24
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(Disclaimer)
The content of this article is intended to provide a general information and knowledge on the subject matter. The views expressed in newsletters, articles, and blogs in the i-SENS USA website are not necessarily those of i-SENS Incorporated, i-SENS USA Incorporated or our publishers. Medical or nutritional information on i-SENS USA website is not intended to replace professional medical advice – you should always consult a specialist with any questions about your specific circumstances.
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