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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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Unintentional weight loss
Poor management of type 1 diabetes mellitus, also known as
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), leads to an excessive amount of
glucose and an insufficient amount of insulin in the bloodstream. This
triggers the release of triglycerides from adipose (fat) tissue and
catabolism (breakdown) of amino acids in muscle tissue. This results in a
loss of both fat and lean mass, leading to a significant reduction in total
body weight. Note that untreated type 1 diabetes mellitus will usually not
produce weight loss, as these patients get acutely ill before they would
have had time to lose weight.
Myriad additional scientific considerations are applicable to weight loss:
physiological and exercise sciences, nutrition science, behavioral sciences,
and other sciences.
One area involves the science of bioenergetics including biochemical and
physiological energy production and utilization systems, that is frequently
evidence of diabetes, and ketone bodies, acetone particles occurring in body
fluids and tissues involved in acidosis, also known as ketosis, somewhat
common in severe diabetes.
In addition to weight loss due to a reduction in fat and lean mass,
illnesses such as diabetes, certain medications, lack of fluid intake and
other factors can trigger fluid loss. And fluid loss in addition to a
reduction in fat and lean mass exacerbates the risk for cachexia.
Infections such as HIV may alter metabolism, leading to weight loss.[1]
Hormonal disruptions, such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), may
also exhibit as weight loss.[2]
Recent research has shown fidgeting to result in significant weight loss.[3]
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 weightloss, in individuals who are overweight or obese, can
decrease the likelihood of developing diseases such as diabetes,[4] heart
disease, high blood pressure, stroke, osteoarthritis,[5] 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.[
Therapeutic weight loss techniques
The least intrusive weight loss methods, and those most often recommended
by physicians, 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[7]
and caloric content of the diet with an increase in physical activity.[8]
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. 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. |
