Dispelling obesity myths

Widespread belief in obesity myths lead to poor policy, misguided public health advice and wasted health-care funding

THINK having sex or going to gym class drives weight loss, or that breastfeeding protects a child from obesity? In fact, these are amongst seven popular obesity myths, according to an article published today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Such inaccurate, widespread beliefs, the authors argue, are leading to poor policy decisions, inaccurate public health recommendations and wasted resources.

David Allison, Ph.D. of the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham led an international research team seeking  to  dispel  obesity myths. (See related video: http://vimeo.com/58122182)

An international team of researchers led by David Allison, Ph.D., associate dean for science in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), analysed articles published in the scientific and popular press to separate myths from evidence-supported facts. The authors defined myths as beliefs about obesity, many of which are fervently held despite evidence to the contrary.

“False and scientifically unsupported beliefs about obesity are pervasive,” said Dr Allison. “As health professionals, we should hold ourselves to high standards so that public health statements are based on rigorous science. In instances where the science doesn’t exist, we should conduct rigorous studies to find the answers.”

Here are the seven myths, explained with implications for public health, policy and clinical recommendations in the NEJM article:

Myth 1 Small, sustained changes in how many calories we take in or burn will accumulate to produce large weight changes over the long term.

Fact: Small changes in calorie intake or expenditure do not accumulate indefinitely. Changes in body mass eventually cancel out the change in calorie intake or burning.

Myth 2 Setting realistic goals in obesity treatment is important. Otherwise patients become frustrated and lose less weight.

Fact: Some data suggest that people do better with more ambitious goals.

Myth 3 Gradually losing weight is better than quickly losing pounds. Quick weight losses are more likely to be regained.

Fact: People who lose more weight rapidly are more likely to weigh less, even after several years.

Myth 4 Patients who feel “ready” to lose weight are more likely to make the required lifestyle changes. Health-care professionals therefore need to measure each patient’s diet readiness.

Fact: Amongst  those  who  seek  weight-loss  treatment, evidence suggests that assessing readiness neither predicts weight loss nor helps to make it happen.

Myth 5 Physical education classes, in their current form, play an important role in reducing and preventing childhood obesity.

Fact: Physical education, as typically provided, does not appear to counter obesity.

Myth 6 Breastfeeding protects the breastfed offspring against future obesity.

Fact: Breastfeeding has many benefits for mother and child, but the data do not show that it protects against obesity.

Myth 7 One episode of sex can burn up to 300 Kcals per person.

Fact: It may be closer to one-twentieth of that on average, and not much more than sitting on the couch.

The authors also defined six “presumptions” — beliefs held to bNike Hyperdunk 2017