Obesity is measured by body mass index standards. Body mass index, or BMI, gives feedback on a person's health based on a weight-to-height ratio. A BMI measurement greater than 30 is considered obese. According to the CDC, as of 2009, 42 states in the U.S. have an obesity rate greater than 25 percent of the population. Obesity can lead to a myriad of cardiovascular, metabolic and orthopedic diseases. But the obesity epidemic can be rectified with diet and exercise.
Identification
A very low-calorie diet is a strictly reduced diet. It is generally monitored by a doctor and used for a short period of time. Persons on a very low-calorie diet consume only about 800 calories per day. This is 400 calories less for women and 700 calories less for men than the recommended caloric restriction for weight loss by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Benefits
There are certain benefits from a very low-calorie diet. This type of diet should only be prescribed for a person that is moderately or severely obese. Consuming only 800 calories per day can lead to a weight loss of 3 to 5 lbs. per week, according the National Institutes of Health. For a 12-week plan, this can be a weight loss of up to 60 lbs. This kind of weight loss can significantly improve certain conditions for an obese person, like cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Similarly, there are times when an obese person is in need of a life-saving surgery, but it cannot be done due to the risks associated with his weight. A rapid weight loss could lead to a timely intervention. Furthermore, weight loss and positive results lead to motivation. While a very low-calorie diet cannot be adhered to in the long-term, it can motivate a person to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Side Effects
There are potential side effects to every quick fix. According to the National Institutes of Health, individuals on a very low-calorie diet have complained of fatigue, constipation, nausea and diarrhea. Gallstones are another side effect of quick weight loss. "Exercise Physiology," by Brooks, Fahey and Baldwin, goes on to list other adverse side effects associated with this diet, including gout, anemia, hypotension and metabolic disorders. In addition, lean body mass is lost with rapid weight loss, which is counterproductive to long-term weight loss.
Weight Maintenance
Weight maintenance is hard for a person on a very low-calorie diet. According to the American Council on Exercise, people who eat a realistic diet when trying to lose weight have an easier time maintaining their weight loss. Including enjoyable foods can make the diet more tolerable and lead to greater weight loss and maintenance.
Exercise
Exercise should be a part of any good weight-loss program. However, a very low-calorie diet can make it dangerous to exercise. Without enough fuel, and due to the likelihood of diabetes in obese persons, exercise should be done cautiously. A report published in "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise" by Joseph E. Donnelly and colleagues in 2009 stresses the importance of exercise on weight loss and maintenance. Physical activity, adding up to 150 to 200 minutes per week, done at a moderate intensity will improve weight loss and prevent regain for individuals on a moderately restricted caloric diet, but not for those on a very low-calorie diet.
References
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: U.S. Obesity Statistics
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Facts About Healthy Weight
- Weight Control Information Network: Very-Low Calorie Diets
- "Exercise Physiology"; Brooks, George A., Fahey, Thomas D., Baldwin, Kenneth M.; 2005
- American Council on Exercise: A Little Fat Goes a Long Way
- "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise"; Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults; Donnelly, Joseph E., et.al.; Volume 41, Number 2, 2009
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