Mountain Therapy is Not Approved for Weight Loss
Mountain therapy is not an approved or recognized treatment for weight loss by any major medical guidelines. Instead, comprehensive lifestyle interventions consisting of reduced-calorie diets, increased physical activity, and behavioral therapy are the recommended approaches for weight management 1.
Evidence-Based Weight Loss Approaches
Dietary Interventions
- Comprehensive weight loss programs should include a moderately reduced-calorie diet, typically designed to create an energy deficit of 500 kcal/day 1
- For most individuals, this translates to approximately 1,200-1,500 kcal/day for women and 1,500-1,800 kcal/day for men 1
- Very low-calorie diets (≤800 kcal/day) should not be used routinely and require medical supervision 1
- Meal replacements and structured meal plans can be effective components of weight loss interventions 1
- Fad diets and nutritionally unbalanced approaches are not recommended 1
Physical Activity
- Comprehensive weight loss programs should include at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity physical activity (30 minutes/day, most days of the week) 1
- For weight maintenance after weight loss, higher levels of physical activity (200-300 minutes/week) are recommended 1, 2
- Physical activity alone produces only modest weight loss but is important for maintenance of weight loss 1, 2
- Activities should focus on those that can be incorporated into daily living, such as walking, cycling, and gardening 1
Behavioral Therapy
- Behavioral strategies are essential components of comprehensive weight loss programs 1
- Key behavioral techniques include self-monitoring of food intake, physical activity, and weight 1
- Regular contact with healthcare professionals (initially weekly to biweekly) improves outcomes 1
- Comprehensive behavioral interventions can produce weight losses of up to 8 kg in 6 months 1
Mountain Activities and Weight Loss
While some research has shown that mountaineering expeditions can lead to weight loss 3, 4, this is likely due to:
- Increased energy expenditure during climbing activities 4
- Reduced food intake due to altitude-related appetite suppression 3, 5
- Challenging environmental conditions limiting food availability 5
However, these conditions are:
- Not sustainable for long-term weight management
- Not medically supervised in typical settings
- Potentially dangerous for individuals with obesity-related comorbidities 6
One study examining hiking at moderate altitude in patients with metabolic syndrome found weight loss benefits, but researchers attributed this to regular physical activity rather than altitude-specific effects 6.
FDA-Approved Weight Loss Approaches
For individuals with BMI ≥30 kg/m² or BMI ≥27 kg/m² with obesity-related comorbidities who cannot achieve sufficient weight loss through lifestyle interventions alone, pharmacotherapy may be considered 1, 7:
- Medications should only be used as adjuncts to comprehensive lifestyle interventions 7
- Pharmacotherapy should be continued only if patients lose at least 5% of initial body weight within 3 months 7
- Bariatric surgery may be considered for individuals with BMI ≥35 kg/m² when non-surgical interventions have failed 1
Conclusion
While physical activity in mountain environments may contribute to weight loss as part of an overall physical activity plan, "mountain therapy" itself is not an approved or evidence-based approach for weight management. Individuals seeking weight loss should follow established guidelines focusing on comprehensive lifestyle interventions that include dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioral strategies 1.