Do fat people always have to lose weight?

 

It's a common belief that being overweight is unhealthy, but is it true? Dr. Antonie Post and Petra Schleifer, two dietitians, each has a different viewpoint.

It goes without saying that being overweight is bad for your body.

No, Antonie Post. Being thin is not a must for leading a healthy and happy life. Many people's physique types make it impossible for them to even attempt it. Contrarily, constant dieting can result in worse health than simply continuing to live in a chubby body and taking good care of oneself.

However, research consistently demonstrates that overweight people are more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. Where do these discoveries originate from, then?

Theodore Post: According to statistics, obese persons are sicker and are at a higher risk of developing several ailments. But there is a distinction between correlation and causation.

The studies that are done only show which phenomena appear at the same time, but not whether they are also causally related. The real reason for the increased risk of disease is not looked at. Minor spoiler: It's not pure fat mass.

But?

What is neglected, according to Antonie Post, is the pressure that obese people face daily in our culture. They are humiliated every day. Not just aggressively, by way of insults, but also passively, by their inability to fit into a chair, their inability to shop at a regular clothing store, the constant prodding to lose weight, and the sense that something is wrong. According to studies, they also get worse medical care. All of this causes psychological harm, raises cortisol levels, and makes you ill while also encouraging the body to retain more fat.

Sheila Schleifer Another issue not addressed in the studies is the fact that two-thirds of dieters gain more weight over time than they did initially. They must then exert even more effort to lose weight once more, which causes what is known as "weight cycling," or consistent ups and downs in weight, which is also bad for your health. 25% of dieters develop an eating disorder that necessitates counseling. They are preoccupied with their weight all the time. This drains your vitality and is bad for both your physical and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, people are healthier if they don't diet in the first place than if they do.

What impact does the environment have on health, and what impact does conduct have?

Sheila Schleifer, We are only able to influence roughly 20% of our behavior; the remainder is governed by our genetic make-up and socioeconomic status. For instance, in Germany, the poor are heavier than the wealthy. However, this isn't just because of their eating habits; it's also largely because they lead more demanding lives and deal with whole other issues. Studies have shown that providing rent vouchers to patients with type 2 diabetes and low incomes improved their health simply by removing a significant source of stress.

Can you even tell if someone is healthy from the outside?

No, Petra Schleifer. To be healthy, needs must first be satisfied. That entails social interaction, safety, a sufficient amount of rest, and no hunger or thirst. We are happier and healthier the better all of this is met. But for overweight people, it's unclear to what extent they can understand their own needs, especially if they feel inadequate and out of place.

Antonie Post: Being healthy also involves being able to move around. Exercise is obviously beneficial, but it shouldn't become mandatory and should instead allow for flexibility. That also holds true for eating: If all I can obtain is a frozen pizza, it's better to eat it than to end the day with a rumbling stomach. Stress undoubtedly contributes to illness. And having a lot of rules in my life that I find difficult to follow causes a tremendous amount of stress.

According to the "Health at Every Size" philosophy, you give your clients advice regardless of their weight. How precisely does that operate?

Theodore Post: "Health at Every Size" is a weight-neutral health philosophy that focuses primarily on self-care, as well as a political movement that promotes social justice and nonjudgmental, respectful medical care. This covers self-respect for the body, intuitive eating, and enjoyable exercise. There are no restrictions. Everyone makes their own decisions about what they require and what suits them. Without detour via weight, we concentrate solely on healthy practices.

If anything is permitted, doesn't it imply that you continuously fill yourself with pizza and chocolate?

Sheila Schleifer possibly at first. Magnum almond ice cream was something I had a lot of, but after a few days, I got sick of it. According to studies, after a while, sugar doesn't turn us on at all if we are in tune with our bodies and pay attention to their feedback on how they make us feel and how much energy they provide. The notion heavily relies on this sensing. It doesn't feel good to just collapse into a fetal position on the couch after eating. Then you simply don't do it again.

What happens if the craving persists?

Sheila Schleifer The belief that if I control my eating, I can control my life is a very strong motivator for our dieting behavior. It may take some time to let go of that. However, it only works if you seek assistance, deal with your own shame, practice self-care, go to yoga, be attentive to yourself, and develop self-respect. Unfortunately, there are still not enough safe, shame-free, and friendly places for overweight people to exercise.

And there aren't any recommendations about what to eat or avoid at all?

Theodore Post: First and foremost, we work with a lot of clients to make sure they eat enough so they are not always hungry. Then and only then do we consider what foods are healthy for them and which ones provide energy. On the palate, we make sure there are more fruits and vegetables and that the food combinations are well-chosen, including fiber, healthy fats, and proteins. Of course, there are other simple methods, like eating the cake right after a meal, to control blood sugar levels. However, none of this is required because nutrition is always personal.

And that works?

Petra Schleifer: Someone who accepts himself lives healthier than someone who does not. You're more likely to go to the gym or not have to eat the chocolate if you're good and caring to yourself. Changing your perspective, disregarding the weight, and focusing directly on healthy behaviors have a huge effect. What we observe in our consultations: When we start with the inner attitude, quite a lot transfers to the physical level. Because psyche and body are connected.

Do you inevitably shed a few pounds?

Petra Schleifer: Perhaps you lose weight. However, there's a good chance you'll keep the physique you have right now. You might lose five kilograms, but probably not thirty. We know a lot of overweight people who started exercising out of self-care, changed their diets and didn't lose a pound, but they kept going because they noticed how their self-worth, well-being, and body image changed. There is no long-term, side-effect-free way for making obese people skinny. But we can improve their well-being and happiness.

Do I need to let go of my goal to get in shape?

Sheila Schleifer At the very least, the main objective shouldn't be a slimmer body. Self-care and respect for oneself are superior goals. When I was nine years old and Antonie was eleven, we both started our first diets. We saw firsthand how psychologically beneficial it is to let go of weight reduction tension, quit fat-shaming, and stop judging yourself. That doesn't imply giving up on exercise or sticking to chocolate. It's all about being able to make your own decisions about what's healthy for you and what isn't. Diets with stringent guidelines take that away from you. Even though I'm 53 and my body is tranquil for the first time in a long time,

Antonie Post: I've been eating intuitively for three years now. I can hear my body, and am relaxed with my food. I have understood in my head what self-care is and how it works, but I can't always put it into practice yet. I wish I had known all about dieting and its dangers when I started my first diet. Then I guess I would have rather worked on my self-care and self-worth.