Losing weight after you climb a mountain seems logical. After all, climbing can burn up to 800 calories per hour. Research shows it is not only the actual climbing that can lead to weight loss, but also the altitude itself. Sedentary people who spend time at a high altitude might descend with a few less pounds, even if they did nothing more than rest and admire the scenery while they were up there.
Expert Insight
In a 2010 study published in the journal “Obesity,” researchers looked at a group of people who spent seven days at an altitude of 8,700 feet. The 20 overweight study participants ate as much as they wanted and were ordered not to do any physical activity, but they still lost weight. What’s more important, they maintained a good amount of that weight loss even after two months back on lower ground.
How It Works
High altitude affects the body in a number of ways, and combined they can lead to weight loss. The increased altitude and atmospheric pressure cause hypobaric hypoxia, which means less oxygen reaches body tissues. Your body will try to compensate for the lack of oxygen by increasing metabolic rate, breathing rate and heartbeat. This in turn will burn more carbohydrates and fat for energy, leading to weight loss as a result. At high altitudes, people also have higher levels of leptin, the hormone that controls appetite. Higher levels of his hormone means people feel less hungry and experience fewer cravings, so they might end up eating less without even realizing it.
Limitations
The 2010 study had some limitations, because it only kept participants at high altitudes for a single week. In an article for "Wired" magazine, anesthesiologist and altitude expert Kay Leissner explained that the human body is likely to adjust to altitude after six months. After that point, metabolism will stabilize and appetite returns, which could mean that people start gaining weight gain. One way to deal with this would be to spend intermittent periods at high and low altitudes.
Risks
Although high altitude might help with weight loss, some people can experience problems. For example, obese people are more likely to experience side effects connected with the lower amount of oxygen at higher altitudes. The risk of heart attack, inflammation, water retention, breathing difficulties and dizziness increase with altitude. Obese people should consult their doctors before heading to high altitudes for long periods of time.
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