Why do we gain back the weight we worked so hard to lose? Lessons from the Biggest Loser.

Why do we gain back the weight we worked so hard to lose? Lessons from the Biggest Loser. -

You may have seen the headlines in the last few weeks about 14 participants "Biggest Loser" who were followed for 6 years and how they gained their weight back ... well we do not regain their weight. However 5 participants gained all their weight back within 1 percent of their previous weight and gained back the rest 70 percent of the weight they lost. I thought it would be a good time to cover the theory of the "set point" related to our body weight.

We all carry genes that are designed to preserve our species by encouraging us to eat foods that are rich in fats and sugars, foods that are calorie dense. That's how we and other species survived eons ago famines. This gene associated with a learning environment that teaches love ice cream, pizza, fried chicken, fries, pecan pie, Oreo cookies and the like is a deadly marriage. When this "fat" gene interacts with the environment in which we live where high fat ads, rich in sugar and salt based foods are common on TV, the result is the perfect storm or in scientific terms the perfect phenotype that leads to obesity. This "fat" gene coupled to a calorie-rich environment has led to the obesity epidemic that we now face.

In the study, the "Biggest Loser" participants went through a year of intensive work program significantly with a suggested food intake. The environment in which they were was controlled (which is the biggest problem). Why? ... Because the candidates at some point in time must return to the same environment that led to their obesity problems. The same place that bears the same food temptations, and family or friends who allow their behavior without personal trainer or the lens of a camera follows them everywhere to hold them accountable. Genes and behavior learned that these participants are without constant management from an outside source will return each of these candidates to old behaviors and unfortunately their previous body weight.

If we take these competitors and place in a village in West African countries such as Burkina Faso where they literally live off the land to eat roots, beans and other plans herbal ... .These competitors would retain their weight loss and might even continue to lose more weight until they have achieved a stable weight corresponding to their gene interacting with this environment. The environment in interaction with their gene coupled with the past learned behavior will dictate their actions. Obesity is a disease of addiction and to expect these candidates to return to an environment where the rule of the food industry is like an addict waiting to start their habit, when every time they turn on the television, they are bombarded an announcement about an addictive drug or drive by a billboard encouraging them to indulge in drugs of choice.

search of the "Biggest Loser" focused on reducing the metabolism of each competitor. Indeed, the participants had a significant reduction in their metabolism that was to be expected. The resting metabolic rate (RMR), which is how many calories are burned at rest, is correlated with lean body mass each competitor door. When weight loss is known, there will be a reduction of body fat and lean body mass. The amount of lean mass which is metabolically active dictate the TMR. It is interesting in the study of the "Biggest Loser" weight REGAIN competitors was not significantly correlated with metabolic adaptation to the end of the competition. This suggests that participants each phenotype (gene they interact with their environment) is primarily responsible for their weight gain.

in my next article, I will cover the importance of maintaining as much lean body mass during weight loss program.

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Jeff Gilliam, PT, PhD, OCS

Jeff Gilliam PT PhD: is a specialist weight loss, who studied in detail in the areas of health behavior, exercise physiology and nutritional biochemistry at the University of Florida. Jeff taught a course at the University of Florida called "Search Applications to obesity and weight loss." He also taught for UF DPT program to promote health and well-being "and" Evidence Based Practice III '. His doctoral research was in the area of ​​effective behavioral interventions for obesity and its associated diseases. He is the founder of choice of doctors for weight loss Loss a program of life / Successful weight, which can be found in more than 40 clinics in the US Southeast. He is currently clinical director of ReQuest Physical Therapy (Gainesville, Florida) and integrates the loss of life program / weight in physical therapy for his patients to help them achieve their healthy body weight.

Jeff Gilliam is an orthopedic specialist certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

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