Overweight and obesity continues to be a great health concern in the Australian population, it is estimated that 3 in 5 Australian adults is either overweight or obese. What does appear to remain a mystery is the right way to lose the excess weight and beat this elusive foes once and for all.
Research evidence has shown that the ‘secret’ lies in surrounding yourself with the right team of specialist professionals. Evidence also shows that successful and sustainable weight management is achieved via positive lifestyle changes targeting nutrition, physical activity and behavioural changes. Ask your GP or Nurse for a referral to a specialist dietician, physiotherapist and psychologist. If you are looking at starting your very own weight loss journey, you may also want to know:
* Higher protein diets (25-35% of total energy intake have proven to be more effective at weight reduction, fat loss, improving resting metabolism and satiety then their low calorie, standard protein and low fat counterparts.
• Furthermore, the Diogenes study found that high protein/low GI diets were most effective for weight maintenance once weight loss had been achieved. Subjects following this diet regained less weight and were more likely to continue to lose weight for the following 6 months, than subjects following other diet profiles.
• Beware of fad diets that exclude core food groups of your daily intake in order to lose weight, it is important to follow the Australian Dietary Guidelines for intake of each food group to ensure that you are getting complete nutrition throughout your weight loss journey.
• Remember that when changing your diet to achieve weight loss it may be difficult to meet your nutritional needs particularly if you have other pre-existing medical conditions.
My Rehab Team’s friendly mobile Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and therapy team can help you by providing expert evidence based advice tailored to your individual needs. You can contact us on 1300469734 or email us through this website or on info@myrehabteam.com.au.
Image courtesy of Suat Eman at Freedigitalphotos.net available from (Accessed on: 22nd August, 2014)
Reference: Weight management – evidence and practical strategies for a higher protein, low GI diet. Available at: http://thinkgp.com.au/education/weight-management-evidence-and-practical-strategies-higher-protein-low-gi-diet (Accessed on 17th August, 2014)
