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Weighing In On Weight Loss

Why We Should Stop Marketing Weight Loss as a Health Benefit


After conducting extensive research in health and wellness, I’ve identified a persistent and pervasive theme: weight loss. With all the money, marketing, time, effort, and education dedicated to this one aspect of overall health, we have lost sight of what truly matters—our overall health.

I understand the desire to look good and the willingness to try anything marketed as the best, newest, and quickest way to shed pounds. However, the marketing of food, nutrition, fitness, pharmaceuticals, and all things related to health and wellness has become a tangled web of deception.


Let's look at some eye-opening statistics:

  • Nearly three-quarters of Americans are overweight or obese. Despite this, over 160 million Americans are on a diet at any given time, spending more than $70 billion annually on commercial weight-loss plans, supplements, and other measures. This indicates that the focus on weight loss might not be leading to sustainable, long-term health improvements.

  • The weight management market is worth $142.58 billion and continues to grow. This booming industry doesn't necessarily mean that marketed weight loss solutions are effective or beneficial for overall health.

  • Age demographics show that 41% of people who dieted in the past year were boomers (aged 59+), 50% were Gen Xers (ages 43-58), 63% were millennials (ages 27-42), and 66% were Gen Zers (ages 11-26). This wide range of concern across generations highlights that the emphasis on weight loss may overshadow other critical aspects of health and well-being.


Despite the staggering amounts of money spent on weight loss, the nation continues to struggle with obesity:

  • 73.6% of adults aged 20 and older are overweight, including obesity (2017-2018).

  • 22.2% of adolescents aged 12–19 years have obesity (2017-March 2020).

  • 20.7% of children aged 6–11 years have obesity (2017-March 2020).

  • 12.7% of children aged 2–5 years have obesity (2017-March 2020).


The Latest Data Is Even More Alarming

The newest data we are gathering is even scarier. It is clear that the current approach to weight loss is not working, and it’s time to shift our focus towards promoting holistic health and well-being for ourselves and future generations. Let’s prioritize true health over the deceptive allure of quick fixes and superficial goals.


The Alarming Truth About Our Children's Health

What concerns me most are the alarming statistics regarding our children's health. Despite having access to a wealth of information, we continue to harm ourselves and our kids through poor nutrition, lack of focus on education, minimal physical activity, and excessive screen time. We are setting them up for failure, and if we don't change, they will likely repeat these patterns with their children. We are failing our generations. The statistics reveal concerning trends in metabolic health, life expectancy, and overall quality of life. We are not winning this battle.


How Do We Change This Now?

Something this significant is challenging to change rapidly, but there is hope. Learn how to navigate the confusion and take control of your family's health now. It's easier said than done, but everything begins with the correct information and education. I hope this will be a starting point for you and your loved ones and help you start saving future generations.


Navigating the Marketing Deception

Marketing can often be seen as legal deception, especially on social media. Let's focus on food. Currently, food prices are at an all-time high, pushing people towards ultra-processed, lower-priced, high-calorie, and low-nutritional boxed and bagged "foods." To help with this, learn how to read labels and focus on buying food with limited ingredients. Prioritize quality protein, vegetables, and fruit for 90% of your meals, and you will be well on your way to stabilizing your metabolic health.

Quick Food Tips:

  • Canned and Frozen Foods: I'm not against canned food, and I believe frozen vegetables (without cheese and sauce) are fantastic, cheap, and healthy. Pro-tip for frozen veggies: Cook them 30 seconds less than the instructions, immediately drain the water, and then toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. They will turn out bright, crisp, and tasty.

  • Wild-Caught Fish: Look for wild-caught frozen fish and thaw correctly in the refrigerator. You will save money and have a delicious, nutritious meal for the family.

Use your common sense about what real food is and can be for you and your family. Focus on smaller portions, protein, vegetables, and fruit. Beware of advertising—low-fat typically equals replacement of sugar. So, read your labels!


The Bigger Picture

There is a clear correlation between these trends, our government agencies (CDC, NIH, USDA), what information is correct, and what is used to keep us sick. This is no longer just a "conspiracy theory." But let's save that discussion for another time. Interested in this topic?

Listen to more insights on this topic: Click below


The Deceptive Marketing of Weight Loss Products

The marketing of training programs, supplements, diets, and now pharmaceuticals is rampant on social media. Everyone with a six-pack becomes a fitness influencer, flaunting their bodies and telling you what to do or buy to look like them. But guess what? You probably won’t look like that person. Most of us aren't 20-30 years old with no responsibilities other than creating content in a gym all day. We're real people with jobs, kids, and a lot more to handle daily. Also, our discipline in sleep, nutrition, and training may not match theirs—otherwise, we'd already look like that. So, what do we turn to? The easy fixes: quick detoxes, intermittent fasting, paleo, keto, carnivore diets, GLP-1 inhibitors (like Wegovy/Ozempic), and whatever other diet, pill, or product promises quick results.

Please don’t get me wrong—there’s value in those diets or eating habits. However, most people do them wrong, can't stick with them, don't move properly, or eat enough, and usually lack the willpower to maintain them long enough to see real change in their lives or body image.


The Rise and Risk of GLP-1 Inhibitors

The scariest part of all this is the rise of GLP-1 inhibitors. Why am I concerned? I'm not entirely against them. For the morbidly obese and diabetics, when used with proper education, behavior changes, nutrition, and strength training, they can be tremendously helpful. However, they are not being used properly, and it's getting worse. These drugs haven't been studied for long-term weight loss in otherwise healthy adults. To learn how they work click here. Dr. Peter Attia Explains the risks:


Exercise Caution

"For those with large amounts of excess fat, reducing fat mass is a critical step in improving overall health. But weight loss is not a great proxy for fat loss, and drugs designed to treat obesity are only beneficial if they can improve body composition in addition to body weight.

GLP-1 agonists have been celebrated for their potency in reducing body mass, but lean mass accounts for an alarming proportion of this weight loss. For patients without excess fat, this considerable risk just doesn’t seem worth the minimal benefits. For patients with sarcopenic obesity, alternative weight loss strategies such as bariatric surgery may be more promising options. And even for patients with obesity and sufficient lean mass – for whom GLP-1 agonists may offer enough benefit from fat loss to justify the lean mass losses – efforts should still be made to minimize the latter as much as possible. Increasing weight-bearing exercise and strength training can help to counteract losses in muscle and bone mass while taking these drugs, and patients should be careful that they’re consuming sufficient protein in spite of the overall reductions in appetite and calorie intake.

As we’ve seen time and again, there are no such things as “miracle drugs,” and GLP-1 agonists are no exception to this rule. While they may have value for certain individuals, these medications come with downsides beyond their hefty price tag, and both physicians and patients ought to exercise extreme caution and discretion in determining whether they are truly the right choice for weight management."

-Lean mass loss on GLP-1 receptor agonists: a downside of the “miracle drugs”

Clinical trials have generated impressive data on the effects of GLP-1 agonists on body weight and BMI, but how do these drugs perform in terms of body composition?

Peter Attia By: Kathryn Birkenbach, Peter Attia

February 18, 2023


The Concerning Demographics

The most troubling part is the demographics of those using these drugs: mostly women, and now even children. The FDA has cleared these drugs for use in 6-year-olds, and the NIH recommends them for childhood obesity. This is alarming. Our next generation will learn nothing about proper nutrition, exercise, and overall health if they rely on these drugs to prevent eating poorly and avoiding physical activity.

Our daughters, already struggling with body image issues, may seek these drugs to look thinner for social events, and boys may use them to "lean up." When they reach their twenties and face sagging skin and GI issues, what do we do? These drugs are designed for long-term use, making big pharma wealthy while not addressing the root causes of obesity.


Shifting the Focus: Muscle vs. Fat

So, if weight loss isn't as critical as it seems, what should we focus on? We’ve been taught that thin equals healthy, but that's not entirely true. Large amounts of visceral fat are harmful, but there are plenty of thin, unhealthy bodies. Our focus should shift to the muscle versus fat ratio—measured as body fat percentage, not BMI.

We need both numbers to change simultaneously: body fat drops, and muscle mass increases. This is the true goal for body recomposition. Initially, the scale may move, but it won't reflect the true progress in the medium and long term. Hence, the scale is useful in the beginning but not for overall health goals.

Instead of seeking quick fixes, learn to love yourself. Develop habits that lead to the longest, highest quality life possible. It’s not as easy as a quick jab, but the rewards are exponentially greater.


Reframe Your Thinking for a Healthier Life

It’s time to reframe your thinking. Understand that endless cardio and minimal food intake won’t give you the body you desire. Despite what marketing tells you, there’s no magic pill or injection. Your real tools are education, discipline, hard work, behavior changes, support, and a holistic outlook on living a longer, healthier life.

Your weight doesn't dictate your health, but it can signal areas that need attention. Focus on consuming high-quality calories from whole foods, building muscle, using cardio to strengthen your heart, and getting quality sleep. Do this 90% of the time, and you’ll be well on your way to better health and a longer, higher-quality life. Prioritize your health as much as you do any daily task—it's the most important thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones.


Don’t be swayed by marketing. If you have any questions about supplements, products, or other health-related topics, feel free to reach out anytime!

I hope this helps!

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