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Many of us were taught, and still believe, that being overweight or obese results from lack of discipline about diet and exercise. However, during the past 20 years, a group of hormones produced by adipose tissue and the gut have been shown to affect appetite and energy metabolism.
An Australian team enrolled 50 overweight or obese participants without diabetes in a severe caloric-restriction program. The program lasted 10 weeks and led to an average weight loss of 14%. Thereafter, participants were given individualized instructions on caloric intake and exercise needed to maintain weight loss. At 62 weeks, participants had regained a mean of about half their lost weight.
Caloric restriction and weight loss were associated with dramatic incre…