Nutritionist named 6 factors influencing weight loss speed
Why you can't lose weight (photo: Freepik)
The speed of weight loss depends on many factors, many of which may be beyond your control. A dietitian Olga Bezuhla named the factors that can hinder weight loss.
Factors Affecting Weight Loss Speed
Gender
The ratio of fat to muscle plays a significant role in one's ability to lose weight. Typically, women have a higher fat-to-muscle ratio than men, which affects their lower resting metabolic rate (RMR).
This means women burn 5-10% fewer calories at rest compared to men, so men generally lose weight faster under diets with equal calorie intake.
Age
Body composition changes with age: fat mass increases while muscle mass decreases, leading to a lower RMR.
A dietitian noted that for adults over 70, RMR can be 20-25% lower compared to younger individuals, complicating weight loss in older age.
Starting Point
Initial body weight and composition individually influence the rate of weight loss.
Different absolute weight losses may correspond to the same relative weight loss in different people.
Weight loss is a complex process.
Caloric Deficit
Weight loss requires a negative calorie balance. A larger calorie deficit leads to faster weight loss.
A dietitian provided an example that reducing intake by 500 calories per day over 8 weeks typically results in greater weight loss than reducing by 200 calories.
Sleep
Sleep quality significantly impacts weight loss. Chronic sleep deprivation can increase appetite and lead to choosing high-calorie foods, complicating weight loss.
Other Factors
Weight loss speed can also be influenced by medications, medical conditions, family history, genetics, and diets.
Understanding these factors is crucial for developing an effective weight loss plan.
Why Skipping Meals Isn't Advisable
Many believe skipping meals aids weight loss, but it actually harms the body significantly. Skipping one or two meals often leads to consuming larger portions later on.
Eating a large meal at once is always detrimental to the body. Therefore, skipping meals like lunch or dinner is an incorrect strategy. It doesn't result in consuming less overall. Ideally, it's better to have four to five smaller meals throughout the day rather than just three main ones.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
