It’s no secret that losing weight can be a challenging task.
Despite our best efforts, it can often feel like we’re making no progress. However, ITV’s Dr Amir Khan has shed light on why some people may find weight loss particularly difficult.
In an honest Instagram video, he introduced the concept of the “Set Point Theory” – a scientific explanation for why some people struggle to lose weight. Even when you’re doing everything right and eating healthily, you might not see the scales move in the direction you want.
If you ever feel disheartened by the whole process, the doctor reassured viewers that it “might not be your fault”. Dr Amir explained there’s a straightforward reason why the weight might not be coming off as expected.
He explained: “The thing that lots of people don’t recognise is that obsesity is a complex disease. It changes the way the body functions.
“It changes the way you metabolise food, and it changes the way your hormones work as well and anyone living with obesity will tell you that losing weight, or sustaining weight loss, can be very challenging.”
He added: “Now science explains this with the Set Point Theory. It says your body mounts a defense, or works against your weight loss efforts. Basically, it fights to keep your weight on, and it thinks it’s doing you a favour.
“It’s an evolutionary thing, which isn’t very useful anymore, because historically starvation has always been our greatest threat. Food wasn’t always accessible as it is now so our bodies adapted to protect us from starvation.”
Dr Khan went on to describe how we have developed a “set point” to shield ourselves from starvation, meaning that our bodies actively work to maintain weight. He acknowledged the difficulty this presents, stating it can become a “vicious cycle”, and to break free, we must reassure our bodies through adopting healthy habits and reminding our bodies it’s ok to shed unwanted weight.
Rather than cutting back on calories, Dr Khan recommends a diet rich in nutrients, focusing on whole foods, lean proteins and plenty of vegetables. Moreover, he highlights the importance of combining exercise with good eating habits, stressing especially not to lose muscle mass, as maintaining muscle contributes to longevity and increased fat burning capability.
Dr Khan emphasised incorporating cardio with strength training to preserve muscle tissue, which not only supports prolonged health, but aids in fat loss over time. Stressing another essential component, Dr Khan argued that restorative sleep is crucial for overall health, advising people to concentrate on holistic well-being rather than fixate on the scales.
His insights appear to be hitting home, with the video racking up more than 8,000 views since its release, drawing heaps of positive feedback. Followers of Dr Khan have expressed their appreciation, with comments pouring in praising his ability to communicate complex health advice in an easy-to-understand manner.
One viewer expressed their gratitude by commenting: “Honestly Dr Khan, you are one of a few medical professionals that actually explain things in a completely user friendly way.”
Fans were quick to praise the detailed insights, with one expressing their admiration: “Love your explanations for everything. Is there anything you don’t know about?” Another added: “That has to be the most well explained post about weight loss I’ve seen in my whole life!”
In line with NHS advice, men and women’s recommended daily calorie intakes are 2,500 and 2,000 respectively. For those on a weight-reduction journey, a 600-calorie drop per day is advised while maintaining a balanced diet brimming with a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables and, for those who include fish in their diets, two servings weekly.
