Browse the evidence

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) slightly increases the risk of substance use disorders and suicide deaths more than 2 years post-surgery compared to nonsurgical controls.

Be aware that while MBS improves mental health symptoms, it may slightly increase the risk of substance use disorders and suicide more than 2 years after surgery. Long-term mental health support and monitoring are essential to mitigate these risks.

Intentional weight loss does not precipitate depression and may protect against emergent symptoms of depression in obese patients.

If you have a history of depression, know that weight loss is not likely to make your mental health worse. In fact, studies suggest it may help protect against new symptoms of depression. You should not avoid weight loss efforts due to fear of mood changes.

Observational studies show a positive association between NNS consumption and weight gain or obesity incidence, suggesting a complex relationship where NNS use may be a marker for existing weight issues rather than a cause.

While some long-term studies link diet drink consumption to weight gain, this is likely because people who are already gaining weight switch to diet drinks. If you are trying to lose weight, swapping sugary drinks for diet drinks is still a valid strategy to reduce calories, but you must be aware that you might be using them to justify other poor food choices.

Targeting well-connected individuals (highly connected nodes in social networks) who are at the edge of a BMI cluster for weight management interventions is significantly more effective at halting the spread of obesity than targeting obese individuals in the center of clusters.

If you are trying to lose weight or help others do so, focus on people who have many social connections and are on the 'edge' of a group (connected to both healthy and overweight people). Encouraging these 'influencers' to maintain a healthy weight can stabilize their social circle's weight distribution more effectively than trying to convince everyone in a group of overweight friends to change at once.

Pinning the weight of a small, random fraction (≤1%) of the population to a normal BMI, combined with increased social volatility, can reverse obesity trends and convert the majority of the population to a healthier weight.

Public health campaigns that create a 'controversy' or strong social discussion around weight loss, combined with visible support for a small group maintaining healthy weights, can trigger a broader shift in social norms toward healthier weights.

An automatic remote weight management system using smart scales and cloud-based dashboards can effectively monitor treatment response and identify early deviations from weight trajectories without increasing patient burden.

Using a smart scale that automatically uploads data to your doctor's dashboard can help catch weight regain early without you having to do extra work. This tool helps your care team prioritize who needs help, potentially keeping you on your medication and avoiding unnecessary visits.

GLP-1 RAs are associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior and self-harm, particularly in patients with underlying mental health vulnerabilities or dysphoria.

If you are taking Semaglutide and experience mood changes, depression, or suicidal thoughts, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Do not ignore these symptoms. Regular screening for mental health is recommended for all patients on this medication.

In the US, higher nutrition knowledge (better discernment of healthy vs. unhealthy foods) is positively associated with higher BMI.

Knowing what is healthy doesn't automatically lead to weight loss. This study found that in the US, people with higher nutrition knowledge had higher BMI, likely because knowledge alone doesn't overcome environmental or social barriers. Don't blame yourself for not losing weight despite knowing the facts. Focus on practical strategies to navigate your environment, not just on learning more about food.

Exercise training has no significant effect on weight maintenance (prevention of weight regain) after an initial weight loss phase.

Exercise alone is not enough to keep weight off after you've lost it. To maintain your weight loss, you need to focus on sustainable dietary changes, as exercise has not been shown to prevent weight regain on its own.

Internet-based commercial weight loss programs (e.g., eDiets.com) produce minimal weight loss (1.1% at 1 year) and are not recommended based on current evidence.

Internet-based programs like eDiets.com are convenient but produce minimal weight loss (1.1% at 1 year). They are not recommended for significant weight loss. If you choose to use one, be aware that it is unlikely to produce substantial results without additional support.

Weight loss maintenance interventions for men are currently insufficiently supported by high-quality evidence, with most studies showing high risk of bias and no maintenance studies meeting low risk criteria.

While initial weight loss programs for men can be effective, there is currently very little high-quality evidence to guide how men should maintain that weight loss long-term. Be cautious of programs claiming specific maintenance protocols without robust scientific backing.

Orthorexia is independently associated with executive dysfunction, specifically deficits in set-shifting, external attention, and working memory, which overlap with but are distinct from anorexia and OCD profiles.

If you feel unable to deviate from your strict diet even when it causes problems, you may be experiencing cognitive rigidity. This is a treatable cognitive pattern, not a moral failing. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help improve mental flexibility.

Computer and Internet use may be favorably associated with cognitive function in older adults.

For older adults, using computers and the Internet may support cognitive function, unlike passive TV viewing. Engaging with technology can be a beneficial sedentary activity.

Smoking increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, and smoking cessation is associated with an increased risk of MetS in the short-to-medium term (up to 10 years) due to weight gain and metabolic changes.

Quit smoking to prevent metabolic syndrome. Be aware that you may gain weight and have a higher MetS risk for up to 10 years after quitting. Counter this by adopting a calorie-restricted diet and increasing physical activity immediately.

The negative effects of isolation on energy intake (in females) and physical activity levels persisted for 6-8 weeks even as government restrictions began to ease, suggesting long-term behavioral shifts.

Do not assume that lifting restrictions will automatically restore your previous healthy habits. The study shows that negative behavioral changes (higher intake, lower activity) can persist for weeks even when the external constraints are removed. Proactive effort is needed to reverse these entrenched habits.

Nutritional labelling on menus or food options in laboratory settings does not conclusively reduce energy consumed during a meal.

In controlled laboratory settings, seeing nutritional labels on food options does not consistently lead to eating less. The effect is uncertain and may not translate to real-world consumption.

Labelling a single food or drink option does not significantly change the amount of energy consumed during a snack or meal.

Putting nutritional labels on single food items (like a chocolate bar or a soda) does not significantly change how much energy you consume when eating that item.

Environmental interventions to reduce SSB consumption can have adverse outcomes, including compensatory consumption outside school, reduced milk intake, and stakeholder discontent.

When implementing SSB restrictions, anticipate and monitor for unintended consequences like compensatory consumption or stakeholder pushback. Ensure healthy alternatives are available in all relevant settings (e.g., water outside school).

Frequent physical activity in nature is weakly connected to better sleep quality, but this connection is not robust and is outweighed by other factors such as disability or life events.

Do not rely on exercising in nature to fix sleep problems. The study found no robust link between nature-based exercise and sleep quality after controlling for other life factors. Focus on sleep hygiene and consistent exercise regardless of location.

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) provided by a registered dietitian is an effective, evidence-based component of diabetes treatment that improves glycemic control (A1C reduction of 0.3-2.0%) and cardiovascular risk factors, comparable to pharmacologic interventions.

Ask your doctor for a referral to a Registered Dietitian (RD) specializing in diabetes. You should expect 3-4 initial visits (45-90 mins each) within the first 6 months, plus annual check-ins. This is a covered benefit and is as effective as many medications for lowering blood sugar.

An intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) targeting weight loss and physical activity significantly improves and maintains self-reported physical functioning in older adults with type 2 diabetes compared to standard education, effectively buffering the age-related decline in function.

For older adults with Type 2 Diabetes, committing to an intensive lifestyle program (diet + >175 mins/week walking) for the first year yields significant, lasting improvements in physical function. Even if weight is regained in subsequent years, the functional benefits (mobility, independence) established in the first year tend to persist, effectively 'buying back' years of functional youth compared to those receiving standard education.

Diabetes nutrition therapy, delivered individually or in groups, significantly improves glycemic control (A1C reduction of 0.3-2%) and metabolic parameters in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients.

Work with a registered dietitian to create a personalized eating plan. You can achieve significant health improvements (lower A1C, better blood pressure) through consistent dietary changes, whether you use detailed carbohydrate counting or simpler portion control. This therapy is effective for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and should be part of your long-term management, even if you take medication.

Telehealth dietitian-led lifestyle counseling combined with web-based tools lowers 24-hour systolic blood pressure more effectively than self-directed web-based tools alone in patients with elevated blood pressure and overweight/obesity.

If you have high blood pressure and are overweight, using a smartphone app alone might not be enough. Adding weekly phone calls with a dietitian who helps you set small, achievable goals and tracks your progress significantly improves your chances of lowering your blood pressure. The program uses free or low-cost apps to track food and weight, and the dietitian uses these insights to guide your weekly plan.

A multidisciplinary group intervention combining nutritional education, physical activity, and emotional management promotes sustainable weight loss (5-10%) and improves quality of life in adults with obesity.

To manage obesity effectively, consider joining a structured group program that combines nutrition education, physical activity, and emotional support. Look for programs that meet weekly for about two months and include follow-up visits. The social aspect and focus on emotional well-being can help you stick to healthy habits long-term.