Dr. Zhou Jian-an, a metabolism and weight loss specialist, advises against focusing solely on calorie restriction for weight loss, highlighting the risk of muscle loss and becoming a 'puff person' (high body fat, low muscle mass). He emphasizes a strategy combining diet and exercise, prioritizing visceral fat reduction and adequate protein intake, based on clinical observations and a systematic review.
Dr. Zhou Jian-an, a specialist in metabolism and weight loss, cautions that many individuals seeking weight loss have a mix of visceral and subcutaneous fat. Relying solely on calorie reduction can lead to muscle loss, resulting in a 'puff person' physique where body fat remains high despite weight loss. He cited a case of a 30-year-old woman who lost 15kg in 3 months on a diet under 600 kcal/day but experienced rapid rebound, fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails, and irregular menstruation. Her body composition analysis showed 46% body fat and significant muscle loss. Dr. Zhou explained that subcutaneous fat is soft and affects appearance, while visceral fat is firm, accumulates around organs, and is strongly linked to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A systematic review of 732 overweight or obese individuals found that diet alone led to 2.57kg more weight loss than exercise alone, and a combination of diet and exercise over 12 weeks resulted in 2.85kg more weight loss than exercise alone, with significant visceral fat reduction. Dr. Zhou recommends a 'diet first, exercise second' approach, focusing on reducing visceral fat and preventing muscle loss. This includes adjusting dietary ratios to stabilize insulin and metabolism, and ensuring sufficient protein intake to maintain metabolic rate. He stresses improving metabolic health over just weight numbers and advises seeking professional assessment if weight loss stalls or body shape doesn't improve.
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- Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
- Category: 健康・医療情報、専門家アドバイス、研究結果紹介
FAQ
What is the main risk of relying solely on calorie reduction for weight loss according to Dr. Zhou?
Relying only on calorie reduction can lead to muscle loss and result in a 'puff person' physique where body fat remains high despite weight loss.
What adverse effects did the 30-year-old woman experience after losing 15kg in 3 months on a low-calorie diet?
She experienced rapid rebound, fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails, irregular menstruation, and her body fat reached 46% due to significant muscle loss.
What is the difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat according to Dr. Zhou?
Subcutaneous fat is soft and affects appearance, while visceral fat is firm, accumulates around organs, and is strongly linked to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
What were the findings of the systematic review of 732 overweight or obese individuals over 12 weeks?
Diet alone led to 2.57kg more loss than exercise alone, while a combination of diet and exercise resulted in 2.85kg more loss than exercise alone, with visceral fat reduction.
What dietary and lifestyle approach does Dr. Zhou recommend for effective weight loss?
He recommends a 'diet first, exercise second' approach, focusing on adjusting dietary ratios to stabilize insulin, ensuring protein intake, and reducing visceral fat.