From the Guidelines
Being diagnosed with increased calorie intake does not necessarily mean you are obese, but it does indicate a need to manage your calorie consumption to prevent potential health issues. To manage excessive calorie intake, it's essential to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes dietary modifications, increased physical activity, and behavioral changes.
Key Recommendations:
- An individualized dietary intervention that reduces overall calorie intake by at least 500 kcal/day, with sufficient protein, vitamins, and minerals, is recommended for initial weight loss and maintenance in adults 1.
- Dietary changes should focus on increasing consumption of nutrient-dense, lower-calorie foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains while reducing intake of calorie-dense, processed foods, sugary beverages, and foods high in saturated fats.
- Regular physical activity is essential, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, gradually increasing to 300 minutes for greater benefits, as recommended by recent guidelines 1.
- Behavioral strategies include mindful eating, meal planning, portion control, and addressing emotional eating triggers. Some key points to consider when managing excessive calorie intake include:
- Eating smaller portions of high-calorie foods and being aware that “low-fat” or “nonfat” does not mean “low-calorie” 1.
- Substituting vegetables, fruits, and other low-calorie foods for calorie-dense foods such as French fries, cheeseburgers, pizza, ice cream, doughnuts, and other sweets 1.
- Clinicians should evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle changes within 3 months, and depending on treatment targets, intensive lifestyle therapy, pharmacotherapy, or surgical referral may be considered for individuals showing minimal weight loss at this time 1.
From the Research
Diagnosis and Obesity
- A diagnosis of increased calorie intake does not necessarily mean you are obese, as obesity is a complex condition characterized by excess body fat, which can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle 2.
- However, excessive calorie intake is a key contributor to weight gain and obesity, as it leads to an energy imbalance between consumed and expended calories 3, 2.
Management Options
- Lifestyle and behavioral modifications, such as diet and exercise, are the cornerstones of obesity management, but they often fail to achieve or sustain long-term weight loss 4.
- Pharmacotherapy, including medications such as orlistat, lorcaserin, and liraglutide, can be effective in achieving weight loss, especially when combined with lifestyle modifications 4, 5.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide, have been shown to be effective in reducing body weight and improving metabolic parameters, but their use requires careful consideration of nutritional and lifestyle interventions to maximize efficacy and minimize side effects 6.
- Other management options, such as nutritional counseling, resistance training, and addressing social determinants of health, can also play a crucial role in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight 6.
Treatment Strategies
- A comprehensive treatment plan for obesity should take into account the individual's clinical and biochemical profile, co-morbidities, and drug contra-indications, as well as expected degree of weight loss and improvements in cardio-renal and metabolic risk 5.
- Emerging areas of research, such as precision medicine and novel anti-obesity medications, may offer personalized solutions to individuals with obesity and represent the future of medical weight management 5.