A Guide to Weight Loss and Clinical Trials

General-medicine

Weight loss is a growing concern, topic of interest, and profitable marketing scheme all across the United States. Many Americans are living sedentary lifestyles and struggling to make healthy eating choices. As a result, more and more people are looking toward weight loss solutions.

This isn’t just an American problem—it’s becoming a worldwide issue. According to the World Health Organization, over 1.9 billion adults around the globe are overweight. Within that range, 650 million are obese, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.

Weight loss looks different to everyone. Some may choose to lose weight in order to feel healthier. For others, excessive weight is a health concern, and they may try to lose weight to manage a disease or illness. In both cases, many find it difficult to meet their weight loss goals.

Although weight loss can be disheartening, it is possible to lose stubborn pounds. It starts with understanding more about the psychological and physiological factors at play.

Reasons Patients Choose to Lose Weight

More and more Americans are trying to shed weight every year. In fact, The Centers for Disease Control found that, in the U.S., as many as 49.1% of adults tried to lose weight from 2013-2016. 

The reasons people opt to lose weight vary. Some are driven by the benefits associated with losing weight. It can be a great preventative measure, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. 

Moreover, losing weight has the added bonus of boosting self-esteem, achieved from the satisfaction of reaching your goals and simply feeling better. It also reduces joint pain and increases mobility, which becomes especially important as we age. 

Conversely, not losing weight may lead to severe health risks. For those with existing medical conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, weight loss may be crucial in managing and improving symptoms. It could also potentially reduce the need for medications or other medical interventions.

According to the Journal of the American Heart Association, obesity contributes to 30% to 53% of new diabetes cases in the U.S. per year. Losing weight could reduce diabetes symptoms, and, in some cases, even lead to remission.

What Contributes to Struggles with Weight?

Weight loss isn’t easy, and everyone has their own unique challenges. These are some of the most common reasons why people struggle to lose weight.

Poor Dietary Choices

The “standard” Western Diet is notorious for causing a host of health problems. It’s rich in high-calorie, processed, and sugary foods—providing excess energy without adequate nutrition. 

Additionally, the standard American diet isn’t satiating, which contributes to overeating and subsequent weight gain. 

Sedentary Lifestyle 

Working from home or at an office is the way of life for millions of Americans. With this lifestyle comes a lack of physical activity. 

Prolonged sitting without any added exercise decreases calorie expenditure, making it harder to burn off excess calories. As a result, sedentary lifestyles can cause gradual weight gain.

Medications

66% of American adults are taking at least one medication, according to research by Georgetown University. While necessary, certain medications, such as antidepressants and steroids, may cause weight gain as a side effect. 

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can contribute to weight gain. People with these conditions often have a compromised metabolism and struggle to lose weight, despite their best efforts.

Managing weight with these (or other) medical conditions can be particularly challenging, requiring specialized treatment and lifestyle modifications. 

Age

An unavoidable aspect of aging is its effect on weight loss. As we age, our metabolism tends to slow down, making weight loss more difficult. 

In addition, we naturally lose muscle mass as we age. Muscle mass helps to burn calories, so its absence can also contribute to weight gain.

Psychological Factors

Factors like stress, depression, or low self-esteem can impact eating behaviors. Emotional eating happens when one uses food as a comfort during times of stress or sadness. This type of behavior is common for those suffering from mental health issues. 

Living with emotional eating can feel debilitating, which is why addressing psychological concerns is the first step in creating a healthier relationship with food.

Why Is Permanent Weight Loss Challenging?

Research suggests that as many as 80% of people that lose weight end up gaining some or all the weight back. It’s a puzzling phenomenon, but there are emerging insights as to why it’s the case.

Yo-yo dieting is one term used to describe the loss and regaining of weight. This pattern is triggered by unsustainable and extreme diets with unrealistic expectations. The quicker the weight comes off, the more likely it will be gained back—often 12 months later.

This is due to the body’s natural response to calorie restriction and weight loss. When you over-restrict calories, it causes your body to slow metabolism and conserve energy. This makes it easier to regain weight once normal eating resumes. This cycle of weight loss and regain can be extremely emotionally and physically taxing.

In addition to yo-yo dieting, other factors can affect permanent weight loss:

  • Lack of support from loved ones
  • Events of excessive stress 
  • Life transitions that disrupt progress
  • Transitioning back to unhealthy, habitual eating behaviors

Match With Weight Loss Clinical Trials

Do you struggle with weight loss? You may be eligible for a trial in your area. Tandem Clinical can help connect you with:

  • The most recent treatments
  • Scientific clinical studies
See If You Qualify Today!

The Importance of Safe Weight Loss

Although trendy diets and fad workouts may promise quick results, they can also lead to frustrating and unsafe side effects. Rapid weight loss often results in muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, and a slowed metabolism, making it even harder to maintain a healthy weight in the long run. 

Gradual progress means your body can adjust without unnecessary strain. If a weight loss solution seems too good to be true, it likely is. Healthy, sustainable weight loss involves a balanced diet rich in nutrients and regular physical activity. 

Before beginning a new lifestyle change, always consult with your doctor. Trusting medical professionals and seeking personalized advice is essential. Doctors can assess individual health conditions, recommend appropriate calorie intake, and design sustainable plans tailored to your specific needs.

Potential Treatments to Assist with Weight Loss

When it comes to lasting, sustainable weight loss, a well-balanced diet comes first. This prioritizes natural foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. It also limits prepackaged, processed foods.

In addition, a healthy diet should include an adequate amount of protein. It is invaluable in keeping us feeling full, satisfied, and less likely to overeat.

Engaging in regular physical activity is a great way to boost your mood and lose extra weight. Remember: there’s no one-size-fits-all for exercise, so choose an activity you truly enjoy doing.

Cardiovascular exercises, like running or cycling, improve heart health and burn calories. Incorporating strength training into your routine can help build muscle, which boosts metabolism and burns more calories even at rest.

Also known as “fat-dissolving injections,” this non-surgical treatment involves injecting compounds that break down fat cells in specific areas of the body, like the stomach. 

Injection lipolysis is typically used for localized fat reduction, not as an overall weight loss method. However, it’s essential to consult a medical professional before considering this treatment.

Some weight loss clinics offer injections that claim to boost metabolism and aid weight loss. These injections may contain various vitamins, amino acids, or other compounds. 

With these types of treatments, it’s best to err on the side of caution, as their effectiveness is not yet widely supported by scientific evidence.

Improving your sleeping patterns can do wonders for both physical and mental health. Quality sleep helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, which is directly linked to your metabolism and hunger hormones.

Additionally, sufficient sleep reduces cortisol, the stress hormone associated with weight gain. When well-rested, you’re more likely to make healthier choices and have the energy to exercise.

Bariatric surgery is an option for those that haven’t achieved significant weight loss, even after trying other methods.

Procedures like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or adjustable gastric banding can help reduce the stomach’s size and alter the digestive process, thus leading to weight loss. However, surgery is generally reserved for those with a high body mass index (BMI) and specific medical criteria.

Behavioral therapy can be invaluable when it comes to achieving safe weight loss. In this kind of therapy, individuals work with a professional psychologist to address both the mental and behavioral aspects of weight management – including how to change habits, adjust attitudes, and avoid unhealthy behaviors.

Match With Weight Loss Clinical Trials

If you are trying to lose weight, you may be eligible to join a clinical study to help you do so. These trials help researchers collect valuable information on weight loss, and in turn, support the development of future weight loss treatment options.

Researchers and doctors alike are studying many aspects of weight loss. This includes the assessment of…

  • New weight loss methods 
  • How genetics and environmental factors play a role in weight loss 
  • How weight loss is maintained

We ensure that all the clinical trials we connect patients with are conducted in conjunction with large pharmaceutical manufacturers. If you’re curious and would like to know more, don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we’ll gladly provide information about the clinical trials available in your local area.

Potential Treatments to Assist with Weight Loss

If you know someone that is trying to lose weight, there are ways that you can help them feel supported along their journey. Here are some of the best options. 

Educate and Support Healthy Choices

If you notice that someone you love is beginning an unhealthy diet or fad diet, avoid speaking or acting with judgment. Instead, gently educate them on the importance of making sustainable changes. Encourage them to seek guidance from healthcare professionals or registered dietitians for personalized advice.

Be Empathetic

The ups and downs of trying to lose weight can take a toll on those looking to make changes. Actively listen without judgment when they share their experiences, challenges, and feelings about their weight loss struggles. 

Acknowledge their efforts and let them know that you understand and are here for them. Even if well-intended, avoid offering unsolicited advice or critical comments. 

Offer Encouragement

It’s all too easy to be discouraged when trying to lose weight. If you know someone that could use extra encouragement, act as their cheerleader throughout the process! Celebrate their successes, no matter how small, and remind them that progress takes time. 

Encourage them to stay committed to their goals and offer words of encouragement when they face setbacks. Most importantly, make sure they know they are valuable, with or without weight loss.

Motivate and Join Them

If your goals align with theirs, you can join them in their efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle. 

Suggest going for a walk or engaging in physical activities together. You could even cook and enjoy healthy meals together. When someone feels less alone in their progress, it can motivate and encourage them to keep going.

Match With Weight Loss Clinical Trials

For those living near New York City, New Orleans, or Orlando, Tandem Clinical Research is your resource for clinical trials near you.

Although many factors that go into lasting weight loss still mystify the scientific community, scientists and doctors are conducting ongoing research to find the best possible treatments. The more we learn about weight loss, the closer we are to sustainable solutions.
Your contribution matters. Consider joining a clinical trial aimed at advancing the understanding of weight loss. Your involvement has the potential to make a significant impact on those facing similar challenges.

See If You Qualify Today!