essay on methods of losing weight

Obesity and Weight Loss Strategies Essay

Introduction, otc product and diet.

The obesity epidemic is among the most urgent healthcare issues in the United States and worldwide. According to recent estimations, between 39% and 49% of the world’s population are overweight or obese nowadays (Powell-Wiley et al., 2021). This trend has led to many people seeking weight loss through different means, including diet, eating behavior management, and pharmacological weight loss agents (Kushner, 2018). However, over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss products have also gained popularity despite serious health risks (Rodriguez-Guerra et al., 2021). Therefore, it is essential for healthcare professionals to keep the broad public well-informed about the nature and potential adverse effects of such products.

The model client is a 40-year-old man with a family history of obesity-related cardiovascular disease. The client pursues weight loss primarily out of concerns for personal health due to recently developed hypertension. The client has considered using an OTC, non-prescription herbal weight loss supplement, AMPK Metabolic Activator. The drug is advertised as a mixture of two botanical components that supposedly help the body burn stored abdominal fat (AMPK Metabolic Activator, n. d.). The patient’s product choice was primarily driven by the desire to achieve quick weight loss using natural products instead of synthetic medications.

However, the client was strongly advised against using OTC products due to a broad range of associated health hazards. Despite advertisement, most OTC herbal weight loss drugs are adulterated with active pharmaceutical agents (Dastjerdi et al., 2018). The pharmaceutical components in such products include tramadol, caffeine, fluoxetine, rizatriptan, venlafaxine, and methadone (Dastjerdi et al., 2018). Legal in most countries, these agents present serious health risks in case of excessive consumption. Furthermore, sibutramine, associated with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases even among consumers without a known history of CVDs, remains in many herbal medications (Rodriguez-Guerra et al., 2021). Therefore, the list of potential negative side-effects of the OTC weight loss products contradicts the client’s initial expectations and desires.

A healthier and more effective weight loss strategy is changing the lifestyle. Healthcare experts agree that weight loss depends primarily on reducing total caloric intake and sufficient physical activity (Kushner, 2018). Additionally, this strategy helps prevent a broad range of cardiovascular diseases and improves the overall physical condition. Therefore, a diet based on the client’s metabolic profile and health condition is the strategy’s primary focus. Experts recommend the calorie-reduced Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, for patients with hypertension (Kushner, 2018). The proposed day 1 menu would consist of the following:

a whole-wheat bagel with 2 tablespoons peanut butter, an orange, and a cup of fat-free milk for breakfast;
spinach salad with reduced-sodium wheat crackers for lunch;
baked cod with 1/2 cup brown rice pilaf with vegetables, 1/2 cup fresh green beans, and herbal tea for dinner (Sample menus for the DASH diet, 2020).

This diet corresponds to the client’s goals and is optimal for his health profile.

Intermittent fasting (IF) has become an increasingly popular approach to treating obesity. Its proponents argue that the strategy is more effective in addressing weight loss than traditional daily caloric intake reduction (Halpern & Mendes, 2021). The IF advocates claim that high insulin levels in the organism associated with high carbohydrate intake facilitate the development of obesity. Intermittent fasting addresses this issue by reducing insulin levels via specially developed fasting schedules. However, experimental models in animals and humans have repeatedly discredited the insulin-related theory (Halpern & Mendes, 2021). Nevertheless, many people still see IF as a preferable alternative, mainly due to its widely marketed supposed benefits and the absence of strict dietary limitations and excessive physical activity.

Obesity remains a significant public health hazard globally, requiring the development and broad introduction of efficient and affordable weight loss strategies and programs. While many still resort to OTC medications and other questionable weight loss strategies, public health professionals and institutions must promote evidence-based approaches. These include safe, personally developed, balanced dietary measures, prescription pharmaceutical agents, and a healthy lifestyle with sufficient physical activity and caloric intake.

AMPK Metabolic Activator (n. d.). Life Extension. Web.

Dastjerdi, A. G., Akhgari, M., Kamali, A., & Mousavi, Z. (2018). Principal component analysis of synthetic adulterants in herbal supplements advertised as weight loss drugs . Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 31 , 236–241. Web.

Halpern, B., & Mendes, T. B. (2021). Intermittent fasting for obesity and related disorders: unveiling myths, facts, and presumptions. Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 65 (1). Web.

Kushner, R. F. (2018). Weight Loss Strategies for Treatment of Obesity: Lifestyle Management and Pharmacotherapy . Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. Web.

Powell-Wiley, T. M., Poirier, P., Burke, L. E., J.-P., Després, Gordon-Larsen, P., Lavie, C. J., Lear,S. A., Ndumele, C. E., Neeland, I. J., Sanders, P., & St-Onge, M.-P. (2021). Obesity and cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association . Circulation, 143 (21), 984–1010. Web.

Rodriguez-Guerra, M., Yadav, M., Bhandari, M., Sinha, A., Bella, J. N., & Sklyar, E. (2021). Sibutramine as a cause of sudden cardiac death . Case Reports in Cardiology, 2021 , 1–5. Web.

Sample menus for the DASH diet (2020). Mayo Clinic. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2024, February 12). Obesity and Weight Loss Strategies. https://ivypanda.com/essays/obesity-and-weight-loss-strategies/

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105 Weight Loss Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Losing weight can be a challenging journey for many people, but with the right mindset and strategies, it is definitely achievable. If you are struggling to come up with a topic for your weight loss essay, look no further. Here are 105 weight loss essay topic ideas and examples to help you get started:

The psychological impact of weight loss on self-esteem
The importance of setting realistic weight loss goals
The role of exercise in weight loss
The benefits of a healthy diet for weight loss
The dangers of crash diets for weight loss
How to overcome emotional eating for successful weight loss
The impact of stress on weight loss
The benefits of keeping a food journal for weight loss
The role of sleep in weight loss
The connection between hydration and weight loss
The benefits of meal planning for weight loss
The impact of social media on weight loss goals
The importance of support systems in weight loss
The effects of yo-yo dieting on weight loss
The role of genetics in weight loss
The benefits of intermittent fasting for weight loss
The impact of body image on weight loss success
The connection between mental health and weight loss
The benefits of exercise classes for weight loss
The impact of hormones on weight loss
The benefits of weight loss surgery
The connection between gut health and weight loss
The benefits of mindfulness for weight loss
The role of metabolism in weight loss
The impact of medication on weight loss
The benefits of tracking macros for weight loss
The connection between meal timing and weight loss
The benefits of working with a nutritionist for weight loss
The impact of portion control on weight loss
The role of supplements in weight loss
The benefits of HIIT workouts for weight loss
The connection between food allergies and weight loss
The impact of age on weight loss
The benefits of group fitness classes for weight loss
The role of stress management in weight loss
The benefits of weight training for weight loss
The impact of sleep on weight loss
The role of mindset in weight loss
The benefits of setting SMART goals for weight loss
The connection between inflammation and weight loss
The impact of environmental toxins on weight loss
The benefits of meal prepping for weight loss
The role of protein in weight loss
The connection between sugar and weight loss
The benefits of plant-based diets for weight loss
The impact of alcohol on weight loss
The role of portion sizes in weight loss
The benefits of cooking at home for weight loss
The connection between weight loss and chronic disease prevention
The impact of body composition on weight loss
The benefits of weight loss challenges
The role of willpower in weight loss
The connection between hormones and weight loss
The benefits of personal training for weight loss
The impact of mindful eating on weight loss
The role of stress in weight loss
The benefits of weight loss retreats
The connection between sleep and weight loss
The impact of emotional eating on weight loss
The role of mindset in weight loss success
The benefits of weight loss apps
The connection between body image and weight loss
The impact of social media influencers on weight loss trends
The benefits of weight loss support groups
The role of genetics in weight loss success
The connection between metabolism and weight loss
The impact of meal timing on weight loss
The role of exercise in weight loss maintenance
The impact of hormones on weight loss plateaus
The role of sleep in weight loss success

Whether you choose to focus on the psychological aspects of weight loss, the benefits of certain diets and exercises, or the role of genetics and hormones in weight loss, there are endless topics to explore. Remember to choose a topic that interests you and that you are passionate about, as this will make the writing process much more enjoyable. Good luck with your weight loss essay!

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