Browse the evidence

The report discusses key factors that may influence consumption, health, food production and processing, food marketing and labelling.

Practitioners should be aware of these factors when addressing nutrition and health.

Illicit use of AAS by competitive athletes is contrary to the rules and ethics of many sport governing bodies.

Athletes should be aware of the ethical implications and potential consequences of AAS use.

High-quality studies are needed to provide definitive answers regarding the safety and duration of preoperative drug cessation for GLP-1-RAs.

Clinicians should advocate for more research to establish clear guidelines for GLP-1-RAs in the perioperative context.

The economic stimulus program should invest part of the estimated $700 billion in a national initiative to prevent obesity.

Investing in obesity prevention can lead to public health and economic benefits.

Current obesity-related costs amount to more than $100 billion per year, representing 5% to 7% of annual health care expenditures.

Understanding the economic burden of obesity can help prioritize public health initiatives.

There are numerous research opportunities to explore the use of metabolic and bariatric surgery and obesity pharmacotherapy for cancer prevention.

Researchers should focus on investigating the cancer prevention potential of obesity treatments.

Long-term data on the efficacy and safety of Tirzepatide are still forthcoming.

Practitioners should remain cautious and await further data on long-term outcomes before fully endorsing TZP.

Pharmacovigilance is vital in real-world settings due to the absence of sufficiently long-term studies.

Clinicians should remain vigilant about the long-term effects of AOMs in practice.

The high pricing of semaglutide (₹17,000–26,000/month) threatens equitable access.

Practitioners should be aware of the cost barriers that may limit patient access to semaglutide.

There is a need for a better understanding of reimbursement mechanisms related to obesity prevention and management.

Practitioners should advocate for improved understanding and policies regarding reimbursement for obesity management.

There are challenges inherent in scientific evidence regarding nutrition.

Practitioners should be aware of the complexities and uncertainties in nutritional science.

An intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) combining caloric restriction, structured meal replacements, and progressive physical activity (goal 175 min/week) produces clinically significant weight loss (avg 8.6%) and improves cardiovascular risk factors (A1C, BP, lipids) in individuals with type 2 diabetes compared to diabetes support and education (DSE).

For someone with type 2 diabetes, losing weight is achievable even if you take insulin. The key is a structured approach: focus on reducing calories (especially fat), use portion-controlled meals or meal replacements, and gradually build up to 175 minutes of moderate exercise per week (like brisk walking). This approach not only helps you lose weight (averaging 8.6% in the study) but also improves your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, potentially reducing your need for medication.

Aerobic physical activity (30-60 minutes, moderate to vigorous intensity, most days of the week) improves cardiometabolic parameters, reduces visceral fat, and aids in weight maintenance, even without significant weight loss.

Aim for 30-60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) on most days of the week. You do not need to lose weight on the scale to get benefits. This activity reduces dangerous visceral fat, improves blood pressure and blood sugar control, and helps maintain any weight loss you achieve.

For overweight/obese adults with Type 2 Diabetes, intensive lifestyle interventions focusing on energy restriction and weight loss (6-8.5% body weight) improve glycemic control, blood pressure, and lipids, with the greatest benefits seen in those early in the disease process.

If you are overweight with Type 2 Diabetes, aim to lose 7-8% of your body weight through a calorie-controlled diet and exercise. This significantly improves blood sugar and heart health. Talk to your doctor about switching to weight-neutral medications if current ones are hindering your progress.

Comprehensive lifestyle interventions producing modest sustained weight loss (3%-10%) yield clinically meaningful health benefits, including reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and improved cardiovascular risk factors, without requiring attainment of a normal BMI.

Focus on losing 5-10% of your body weight through a calorie-reduced diet and increased physical activity. You do not need to reach a 'normal' BMI to see major improvements in your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Consistency with lifestyle changes is more important than hitting a specific number on the scale.

Reducing total fat intake as a proportion of energy leads to small but statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference in adults, with a dose-response relationship where each 1% decrease in energy from fat reduces weight by 0.2 kg.

To lose a small amount of weight, try reducing the percentage of your daily calories that come from fat. For every 1% you reduce fat intake, you can expect to lose about 0.2 kg over time, provided you maintain your usual activity level and don't replace that fat with significantly more carbohydrates or protein. This effect is consistent in adults with moderate baseline fat intake.

Ad libitum low-fat diets (<30% energy from fat) produce significant weight loss (3-4 kg) in overweight individuals through spontaneous reduction in energy intake, with efficacy positively correlated with the magnitude of fat reduction and initial body weight.

To lose weight without counting calories, reduce the percentage of energy from fat to below 30%. Focus on volume and lower energy density. The more you reduce fat, the more weight you tend to lose, especially if you are overweight. Be aware that sticking to this is hard in a high-fat food environment, but those who succeed lose significantly more weight.

Intermittent Fasting (IMF) produces weight loss equivalent to Daily Caloric Restriction (DCR) when both interventions are delivered with comprehensive behavioral support and equal energy deficits, though IMF may offer better long-term fat mass maintenance.

This paper does not provide results, only a plan. However, it suggests that for weight loss, the specific timing of eating (fasting vs. daily restriction) matters less than sticking to the plan. If you struggle with daily calorie counting, trying fasting might work, but you need strong behavioral support (coaching, tracking) to succeed, just as you would with daily restriction.

Lifestyle interventions combining at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity with modest energy restriction reduce the risk of progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 diabetes by 58%.

If you have prediabetes, aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week and try to lose 5-7% of your body weight through diet. This combination cuts your risk of developing full-blown diabetes by more than half.

Lifestyle interventions, specifically moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week and caloric restriction, significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals with prediabetes.

To prevent type 2 diabetes, you need to combine diet and exercise. Aim to lose about 7% of your body weight (or reach a BMI of 24) by cutting 400-500 calories from your daily intake and limiting saturated fats. Add at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Stick with it by getting regular check-ins and support to keep these habits long-term.

Structured lifestyle interventions combining physical activity and modest weight loss can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58% in high-risk populations.

If you are at high risk for diabetes (e.g., prediabetes), combining regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise (at least 2.5 hours/week) with modest weight loss can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58%. You don't need to lose a huge amount of weight; even modest changes combined with activity make a significant difference.

Daily physical activity of 30-60 minutes, including aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises, is recommended to prevent and treat metabolic syndrome.

Aim for 30-60 minutes of daily physical activity, combining aerobic exercise and muscle strengthening. You can break this into 10-minute blocks throughout the day. This is essential for preventing and treating metabolic syndrome.

A comprehensive behavioral weight loss intervention (diet, physical activity, and behavioral therapy) improves asthma control in obese adults with suboptimally controlled persistent asthma.

If you are obese and have asthma that is hard to control, losing about 7% of your body weight through a structured program of diet, exercise, and behavioral coaching can significantly improve your asthma control. The program involves weekly group sessions for the first four months, followed by monthly check-ins, focusing on gradual weight loss and 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

Bariatric surgery is recommended for individuals with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with comorbidities, to achieve long-term weight loss, diabetes remission, and reduced mortality.

If you have a BMI of 40 or higher, or 35 or higher with health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, bariatric surgery is a highly effective option. It leads to greater long-term weight loss and diabetes remission than medical treatment alone, and reduces long-term mortality. Discuss this with a specialist to see if you are a candidate.