Weight loss studies are a tricky thing. There are a tremendous number of different variables to be kept in mind and interpretations should be done with great care. The first thing that should be considered is that one single piece of research is not considered to be proof of a hypothesis. Before the medical community actually accepts it, it must be examined in very specific ways in order to rule out misinterpretations of the evidence, and then the study needs to be replicated to be sure that it wasn’t a fluke that it turned out that way in the first place.
The next thing that should be known about weight loss studies is that they are not all created equal. Even among those that are conducted in the most meticulous way can differ in their value, use and importance. The reason is that there are different levels of study. For instance, research that involves the participation of five people sticking to a diet plan over a span of twelve days does not hold nearly as much value as conducting the same type of examination on 10,000 people over a period of twelve months.
This isn’t to say that small weight loss studies have no value. They do. Typically, they are considered to be preliminary tests in order to see whether or not larger research is justified. After all, large-scale studies are expensive and time consuming and they can draw on considerable resources. Still, while the preliminary research can suggest whether or not more study is merited, it should not be considered to be proof.
It is also important to note that when it comes to the area of dieting and weight loss, there isn’t all that much published in terms of the long term potential of a strategy or product. This has meant that some of the most impressive results may not actually be as helpful over the long term as is believed during the first year or so.
One of the most well recognized instances of weight loss research that had appeared to be very impressive but that is now turning out to be weak over the long term is from the reality show The Biggest Loser. The participants were all obese to start and typically lost an average of 100 pounds throughout the show using methods that many people in the medical community consider to be quite extreme. That said, the public was watching the results on their television screens and saw the weight coming off. This generated millions in merchandise from the brand as people tried to take on similar efforts.
However, what is now being found is that the long term benefits of that strategy are greatly lacking. Nearly every participant – including the winners – are gaining the weight back. In fact, one of the winners recently revealed that the full 100 pounds has returned and it brought more with it.
This is why it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor before using research published in the media to help guide your weight loss efforts. Have a medical professional help you to choose the strategy that is best for your body type, lifestyle and expectations and discuss whether or not it will also help you to use a diet pill such as Phentramin-D to get the most out of your new diet and exercise plan.