Weight loss, in the context of medicine, health, or physical fitness, refers to a reduction of the total body mass, by a mean loss of fluid, body fat (adipose tissue), or lean mass (namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon, and other connective tissue). Weight loss can either occur unintentionally because of malnourishment or an underlying disease, or from a conscious effort to improve an actual or perceived overweight or obese state. "Unexplained" weight loss that is not caused by a reduction in calorific intake or exercise is called cachexia and may be a symptom of a serious medical condition. Intentional weight loss is commonly referred to as slimming.
Intentional weight loss is the loss of total
body mass due to efforts to improve fitness and health or change appearance
through slimming. Weight loss
is the main treatment for obesity. There is substantial evidence that this can
prevent progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes with a 7-10% weight
loss and manage cardiometabolic health for diabetic people with a 5-15% weight
loss.
Weight loss in individuals who are overweight
or obese can reduce health risks, increase fitness, and may delay the onset of
diabetes. It could reduce pain and increase movement in people with
osteoarthritis of the knee. Weight loss can lead to a reduction in hypertension
(high blood pressure), however whether this reduces hypertension-related harm
is unclear. Weight loss is achieved by adopting a lifestyle in which fewer
calories are consumed than are expended. Depression, stress or boredom may
contribute to weight increase, and in these cases, individuals are advised to
seek medical help. A 2010 study found that dieters who got a full night's sleep
lost more than twice as much fat as sleep-deprived dieters. Though hypothesized
that supplementation of vitamin D may help, studies do not support this. The
majority of dieters regain weight over the long term. According to the UK
National Health Service and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, those who
achieve and manage a healthy weight do so most successfully by being careful to
consume just enough calories to meet their needs and being physically active.
In order for weight loss to be permanent,
changes in diet and lifestyle must be permanent as well. There is evidence that
counseling or exercise alone do not result in weight loss, whereas dieting
alone results in meaningful long-term weight loss, and a combination of dieting
and exercise provides the best results. Meal replacements, orlistat and
very-low-calorie diet interventions also produce meaningful weight loss.
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