Is it True That 80% of Weight Loss is Diet? More and more people are trying to lose weight. Not only are New Years’ Resolutions right around the corner, but overall, the world has a weight problem. For aesthetic and health reasons, more people are trying to figure out how to lose weight. One common belief is that Is it 80% of weight loss is diet. But is it true that 80% of weight loss is diet? Scientists have been researching if it is true that 80% of weight loss is diet and we now know the answer.
Is weight loss mostly about diet?
Gaining weight seems so easy but weight loss is very difficult. What is the secret to losing weight? Is weight loss mostly about diet or is there another major factor that could explain how to lose weight? To understand the answer, it’s important to understand how the body gains and loses weight.
The Mayo Clinic explains how weight gain and loss works very concisely. “Your weight is a balancing act, but the equation is simple: If you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. And if you eat fewer calories and burn more calories through physical activity, you lose weight. Because 3,500 calories equals about 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) of fat, it’s estimated that you need to burn about 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound.”
So, in order to lose weight, the human body needs to consistently consume less calories than it uses, or operate at a caloric deficit. Unfortunately, although exercise is extremely important to good health and proper muscle tone, it does not burn very many calories! As a result, weight loss is mostly about diet since that is the easiest way to operate at a caloric deficit.
How much does diet play a part in weight loss?
Diet plays the biggest role in weight loss. With the exception of the most elite athletes or those who perform hard physical labor for hours every day, it is extremely difficult to burn off very many calories through exercise.
Humans evolved in an environment in which finding and preparing food was extremely difficult and labor intensive. That has all changed since the industrial revolution 200 years ago. Now it is easier and more convenient than ever to find highly caloric foods while remaining very sedentary. But the human body is still operating the way it evolved over thousands of years. As a result, it is difficult to burn many calories while leading a modern lifestyle. Even many gyms will have banners reminding patrons that “it’s impossible to outrun your fork.”
So diet plays a huge role in weight loss. The best way to lose weight is through a diet that operates at a caloric deficit.
