Weight Loss Isn't What You Think

Weight loss might seem easy if you are lucky enough to be a person that doesn’t struggle with it; but there is much more than meets the eye. Since 97% of diets fail, clearly there needs to be a new approach to weight loss that is safe, clinically proven, and effective for the long term. In the infographic below, learn more about all of the issues that need to be considered and addressed to properly make a weight loss plan for life.

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Weight Loss Isn’t What You Think

1/2 of American adults are looking to lose excess weight

Weight Loss Isn’t Simple

- During the pandemic, 42% of American adults unintentionally gained weight
  - Average weight gain: 29 pounds
  - 10% gained more than 50 pounds
  - 60% say that losing weight is more difficult since the pandemic
- “We’ve been concerned throughout this pandemic about the level of prolonged stress, exacerbated by the grief, trauma and isolation that Americans are experiencing. . . . [A] secondary crisis that is likely to have persistent, serious mental and physical health consequences for years to come,” – Arthur C. Evans Jr, PhD, APA CEO

Few Doctors Know How To Address Weight Loss

- - Only 56% of physicians feel qualified to treat obesity
    - Just 46% feel successful in doing so
  - Less than 1/2% of docs in North America are trained in obesity management
    - “We make all these recommendations, with all this apparent scientific precision, but when it comes down to it we don’t know, say, how much fat someone should have in their diet.” – Sheley Skinner, Pediatrician at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

The need for a new approach to medical weight loss

Losing 5% of body weight is enough to have significant positive health impact

Johns Hopkins found that 21% of overweight patients felt judged by their primary care doctor and were less likely to trust that person’s advice

Another study from Johns Hopkins found that overweight patients are more likely to repeatedly switch doctors, and researchers believe that off-putting comments or unsolicited weight advice play a role. Compared with normal-weight patients, these “doctor shoppers” are 85% more likely to end up in the emergency room
- 55% of patients with obesity have reported canceling an appointment because they’re anxious about being weighed

Weight Loss Medications Are Underutilized

- Just 24% of doctors account for 90% of weight loss prescriptions
- Less than 3% of eligible patients are prescribed weight-loss medications
  - 77% of those scripts were for phentermine
  - Phentermine was first FDA-approved in 1959
- There are many safe and effective medications for weight loss
  - Bupropion & Naltrexone
    - Patients lost 7-8% of their body weight after 24 weeks
      - Compared to 1.1% with diet and exercise alone
  - Semaglutide
    - Patients lost 14.9% of their body weight after 68 weeks
      - Compared to 2.4% with diet and exercise alone

3 in 5 Americans say the weight loss process itself is nearly as miserable as being overweight

Mental Health & Weight Loss

- Weight issues have a deep impact on our health
  - Mental: 80% of people with serious mental illnesses are overweight or obese
    - Toxic stress flood the system with cortisol impacting the brain’s ability to function
    - Loss of sociability, anxiety, impulsivity, impaired memory, mood control, and the avoidance of interactions with others
    - Memory and mental processes impaired due to mental health, making it more difficult to learn new habits, maintain motivation, and adopt behaviours for weight loss
  - Metabolic: Obesity leads to a death rate 3X that of the overall population
    - Reduction in levels of activity leading to slower metabolism
    - Very difficult to lose weight and almost impossible to keep it off
    - Medications used to treat mental health may increase appetite

Depression & Weight

- - Depression can cause physical symptoms
    - Aches and pains
    - Lower energy
    - Unusual stomach and digestive issues
    - Trouble sleeping
    - Changes in appetite
  - Some people living with depression feel hungrier than usual or eat emotionally
    - Others find their appetite decreased and may experience unintentional weight loss
  - 1/2 of adults with a history of binge eating have also experienced depression

The Role Of Childhood Trauma

- - In 1985, Dr. Vincent Felitti, noted that half of successful weight loss patients dropped out of the program
    - Further investigation revealed patients hadn’t gained weight slowly over time, but quickly – often after an emotionally painful experience
  - Led to Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) study with CDC
    - Result: adverse childhood experiences have a dramatic, longterm impact on health – including weight

Food Addiction

- - - Similar behavior and physical patterns as substance abuse
      - Triggers like images and setting
      - Changes in brain activity related to restraint
      - Hung-over feeling from overeating
    - Food addiction can serve multiple purposes
      - Eating soothes anxiety, fear, anger, or depression – much like alcohol or other substances

Being overweight helps reduce anxiety – making you less likely to draw attention, or more intimidating

Keeping Weight Off Isn’t Easy

- 97% of dieters regain everything they lost (and more) within 3 years
- Weight loss doesn’t automatically bring mental wellbeing
  - In one study, those who lost significant weight were at greater risk for depression after 4 years

The Relish Solution

Relish offers a holistic approach that meets you where you are
- Visits with personal medical practitioner
  - Initial telehealth visit
  - Weight loss medications
- Health coaching for fitness and nutrition
- Group therapy with addiction counselors
- Clinical psychology
  - Hypnotherapy
  - Guided imagery
  - Meditation
  - CBT