Science Library: The Physics of Weight Loss
|
Weight Cycling ("Yo-Yo Dieting")
Weight cycling is linked to a great deal of confusion surrounding its effect on metabolism, weight and overall health.
‘Brown Fat’ and Weight
Scientists for decades have speculated that "brown" fat — a special type of fat which promotes the burning of calories, presumably to generate body heat — plays an important role in keeping infants and young children warm, but by adulthood is mostly gone or inactive.
Update on Obesity Medications
A new class of medications that looked promising for the treatment of obesity has lost its early luster. The medications were intended to block receptors that are linked to pleasure associated with substances like food, alcohol or cigarettes. Certain adverse side effects prevented these drugs from being marketed, but there is a new avenue of research to find ways to block those receptors.
Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Recommendations regarding the amount of weight women should gain during pregnancy have changed over the past century. Here is a summary of the most recent updates.
Menstrual Cycle and Weight
While there may be minor changes in metabolism, food intake and cravings throughout the menstrual cycle in addition to possible water retention, these will not impact weight-loss success.
The Starvation Myth
The idea that "not eating enough" causes the body to stop losing weight because it goes into "starvation mode" is a popular myth among dieters.
Leptin, Ghrelin, Cortisol and Weight
We take a look at leptin, ghrelin and cortisol, three of the most talked about hormones related to weight and weight-related behaviors.
Alli – Latest OTC Weight-Loss Medication
Alli™ is the first weight-loss medication to be approved for over-the-counter use in the United States. To be most effective, all weight-loss drugs should be an adjunct to a comprehensive weight-loss program.
Why Men Lose Faster than Women
Men have two major weight-loss advantages over women: One involves their body composition; the second revolves around the fact that men tend to be more active than their female counterparts.
Gender Differences in Metabolism
Biological differences between men and women affect metabolism and weight loss.
Weight-Loss Recommendations for Children
Current recommendations for weight loss in children have two goals: to ensure that the child grows and develops normally and to help the child reach a healthy weight.
Aging and Metabolism
Weight gain is a common occurrence as people get older because the body's metabolism slows as we age. Thankfully, exercise can help mitigate this weight gain.
Menopause and Weight
Menopausal women tend to gain weight around their waist, which is a health concern because both weight gain in general and increased abdominal fat in particular are linked to increased cardiovascular health risks.
Weight-Loss Recommendations for New Moms
Many new moms are eager to shed excess pounds soon after their babies are born, but there are important weight-loss guidelines these mothers should follow.
Bariatric Surgery and Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery is being used more frequently to treat morbid obesity. But important lifestyle changes must still be made to maintain long-term weight-loss success.
Medications That May Contribute to Weight Gain
Several medications can work against weight loss, slowing the rate of weight loss or contributing to a plateau.
Weight-Loss Plateaus
Plateaus, which happen when the scale is at a standstill for several weeks, are a common part of the weight-loss process.
Calories, Metabolism and Body Weight
Understanding the energy content of food, metabolic rates and the law of thermodynamics.
Weight-Loss Medications
Prescription weight-loss drugs do not guarantee success, but physicians are prescribing them under certain circumstances.
Genes and Weight
The influence of genetics on body weight, behaviors and susceptibility to overweight.
Increasing Metabolism
How metabolism can be boosted, and the effect of the body's muscle mass and heart rate on the burning of calories.
|