Weight loss alone might miss real health benefits
Beyond the Scale: Rethinking Weight Loss Advice
Weight loss has long been the benchmark for health. Yet new research shows that chasing a lower number on the scale can miss the whole picture of a person’s well‑being.
Why a lower BMI does not always mean better health
- Most people with higher body weight cannot maintain long‑term weight loss through lifestyle changes.
- The pressure to lose weight may actually cause harm by creating stress and unhealthy habits.
- Focusing solely on the scale can reinforce weight bias—negative judgments based on weight that affect mental health and may encourage disordered eating.
Moving from the Scale to Personalised Care
Medical professionals are urged to shift away from the scale. Instead of a single number, they should adopt holistic, compassionate care that values overall well‑being.
Canadian Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS)
EOSS is a five‑stage tool that classifies obesity based on the severity of health issues, not just BMI. It considers metabolic, physical, and psychological factors to assess the impact of obesity on a person’s overall health and treatment needs.
Health at Every Size (HAES)
HAES acknowledges that good health can be achieved regardless of weight loss. It has shown promising results in improving eating behaviours.
Finding Exercise that Fits Personality
Less than a quarter of adults achieve the recommended activity level. Matching workouts to personality can help:
- Extroverts thrive in high‑energy group sports.
- Neurotics prefer private bursts with breaks.
- Everyone sees stress levels drop when they find exercise they enjoy.
Patient‑Centric Weight‑Focused Treatment
Doctors should provide good care irrespective of weight. The goal is not to care less but to discuss benefits, harms, and what matters most to the patient.
Study Publication: The British Medical Journal, “Beyond body mass index: rethinking doctors’ advice for weight loss.”
