Weight Loss Weight loss, in the context of medicine, health or physical fitness, is a reduction of the total body mass, due to a mean loss of fluid, body fat or adipose tissue and/or lean mass, namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon and other connective tissue. It can occur unintentionally due to an underlying disease or can arise from a conscious effort to improve an actual or perceived overweight or obese state. Contents [hide] * 1 Intentional weight loss o 1.1 Therapeutic weight loss techniques o 1.2 Crash dieting o 1.3 Weight loss industry * 2 See also * 3 References * 4 External links [edit] Intentional weight loss Intentional weight loss refers to the loss of total body mass in an effort to improve fitness and health, and to change appearance. Therapeutic weight loss, in individuals who are overweight or obese, can decrease the likelihood of developing diseases such as diabetes,[1] heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, osteoarthritis,[2] and certain types of cancer. Attention to diet in particular can be extremely beneficial in reducing the impact of diabetes and other health risks of an expanding waist. Weight loss occurs when an individual is in a state of negative energy balance. When the body is consuming more energy (i.e. in work and heat) than it is gaining (i.e. from food or other nutritional supplements), it will use stored reserves from fat or muscle, gradually leading to weight loss.[citation needed] It is not uncommon for some people who are currently at their ideal body weight to seek additional weight loss in order to improve athletic performance, and/or meet required weight classification for participation in a sport. However, others may be driven by achieving a more attractive body image. Consequently, being underweight is associated with health risks such as difficulty fighting off infection, osteoporosis, decreased muscle strength, trouble regulating body temperature and even increased risk of death.[3] [edit] Therapeutic weight loss techniques See also: Obesity#Management and Bariatrics The least intrusive weight loss methods, and those most often recommended, are adjustments to eating patterns and increased physical activity, generally in the form of exercise. Physicians will usually recommend that their overweight patients combine a reduction of processed[4] and caloric content of the diet with an increase in physical activity.[5] An increase in fiber intake is also recommended for regulating bowel movements, and speeding up the metabolism. Other methods of losing weight include use of drugs and supplements that decrease appetite, block fat absorption, or reduce stomach volume. Weight Loss Coaching is rapidly growing in popularity in the United States, with the number of available coaches nearly doubling since 2000.[citation needed] Finally, surgery (i.e. bariatric surgery) may be used in more severe cases to artificially reduce the size of the stomach, thus limiting the intake of food energy. [edit] Crash dieting A crash diet refers to willful nutritional restriction (except water) for more than 12 hours. The desired result is to have the body burn fat for energy with the goal of losing a significant amount of weight in a short time. There is a possibility of excessive muscle loss, depending on the approach used. Crash dieting is not the same as intermittent fasting, in which the individual periodically abstains from food (e.g., every other day). [edit] Weight loss industry Globe icon. The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with USA and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. There is a substantial market for products which promise to make weight loss easier, quicker, cheaper, more reliable, or less painful. These include books, CDs, cremes, lotions, pills, rings and earrings, body wraps, body belts and other materials, not to mention fitness centers, personal coaches, weight loss groups, and food products and supplements. US residents in 1992 spent an estimated $30 billion a year on all types of diet programs and products, including diet foods and drinks.[6] Between $33 billion and $55 billion is spent annually on weight loss products and services, including medical procedures and pharmaceuticals, with weight loss centers garnering between 6 percent and 12 percent of total annual expenditure. About 70 percent of Americans' dieting attempts are of a self-help nature. Although often short-lived, these diet fads are a positive trend for this sector as Americans ultimately turn to professionals to help them meet their weight loss goals.[7] [edit] See also * Dieting * Physical exercise * Obesity * Anti-obesity medication * Anorexia * Online weight loss plans * Weight gain * Template:User loser [edit] References 1. ^ "Diabetes Study Shows Value In Diet, Exercise". September 2001. http://www.usmedicine.com/article.cfm?articleID=261&issueID=30. 2. ^ "Prevalence of various medical conditions increases with overweight and obesity". http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/Health_Effects.shtml. 3. ^ "Being Underweight Poses Health Risks". Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2005-mchi/2796.html. Retrieved January 13, 2007. 4. ^ "World Health Organization recommends eating less processed food". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2814253.stm. 5. ^ "Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight Loss Program". http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/choosing.htm. 6. ^ "The Facts About Weight Loss Products and Programs". US Food and Drug Administration. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wgtloss.html. 7. ^ Reuters (2008-04-21). "Profiting From America's Portly Population". Press release. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS107630+21-Apr-2008+PRN20080421. Retrieved 2009-01-17. [edit] External links * Weight-loss advertising: An Analysis of Current Trends. U.S. Federal Trade Commission (September 2002) * Losing Weight Safely U.S. Food and Drug Administration * Weight-control Information Network U.S. National Institutes of Health * "Eat Like Our Ancestors". An Interview with Harvard’s Deirdre Barrett US News and World Report, June 29, 2007 * Weight loss at the Open Directory Project