Your Heart May Benefit From Losing Weight, Even If You Gain Some Back
According to a recent study, even a small weight decrease can have long-term health benefits. None of it requires much: If you have excess weight to lose, even a small amount of weight loss (5 to 10 percent of your total body weight) can have a significant positive impact on your health. Furthermore, even if part of the weight returns, recent study indicates that these advantages might endure for several years. A study with almost 50,000 participants looked at the outcomes of 124 clinical trials. Researchers discovered that individuals who underwent what are known as intensive behavioral weight loss programs—which typically involve diet and exercise along with peer or professional support—had reduced risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared to those who underwent fewer intensive programs or no program at all. Furthermore, even with significant weight gain, these enhanced indicators persisted for at least five years. Th...