A group of leading experts has warned that focusing solely on weight loss in people with a high body mass index (BMI) may do more harm than good – both medically and psychologically.

Writing in The BMJ, Dr Juan Franco, a family doctor at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, and colleagues argue that the age-old approach of pushing lifestyle interventions like calorie restriction and exercise, though well-meaning, has not delivered sustained weight loss or better heart health outcomes for most people with obesity.

“On average, people with high weight will not be able to sustain a clinically relevant weight loss with lifestyle interventions,” the authors write. “The potential harms of weight loss interventions, including the reinforcement of weight stigma, are still unclear.”

The call is not to abandon healthy habits — far from it. “A healthy lifestyle provides important benefits,” the authors emphasise. But they also insist that weight is not a comprehensive indicator of health, and doctors should focus on more nuanced, patient-centred care.

Focus on weight loss contributes to societal weight bias

What’s at stake, they say, is not just physical health but mental well-being. A relentless focus on weight loss can reinforce societal biases and feed harmful stereotypes about people in larger bodies. “Focusing on weight loss might also contribute to societal weight bias – negative attitudes, assumptions, and judgments,” they write, noting that this bias is linked to “disordered eating, the adoption of unhealthy habits, and weight gain.”

Instead, the experts recommend alternative approaches, such as the “Health at Every Size” (HAES) model, which emphasises healthy habits and self-care regardless of body size. “Good health can be achieved regardless of weight loss,” they argue, adding that such models have shown “promising results in improving eating behaviours.”

They urge clinicians to be transparent with patients about both the benefits and limitations of weight loss treatments. “Doctors should be prepared to inform individuals seeking weight loss about the potential benefits and harms of interventions and minimise the risk of developing eating disorders,” they write.

Above all, they call for a shift in mindset. “The main goal is to offer good care irrespective of weight,” they conclude. “Which means not caring less but rather discussing benefits, harms, and what is important to the patient.”

Also read: https://firstcheck.in/7-day-no-food-weight-loss-challenge-fact-check/