Most people wish they could lose a few pounds (or more) and have tried to do so at least once in their lifetime. As if losing weight isn’t difficult enough, there are numerous myths and misconceptions floating around. For example, ‘Obesity is a choice, not a disease.’ ‘Low fat diets are the best way to reduce body fat.’ ‘Weight loss of at least 10% over 6 months is needed for any benefit.’ The truth is these are all false. In each of the 14 parts in this video series, Dr. Holly Lofton unpacks the truth behind one myth or misconception, each creating a barrier to successful weight loss and fueling stigma. Each 2- to 4-minute video is based on science and provides practical advice, so that people with overweight or obesity can better manage this chronic disease with support from their healthcare team. Won’t you join Dr. Lofton? It’s time to set the record straight and replace myths and misconceptions with truth – and turn challenges into opportunities.
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Misconception: “Obesity is a choice, not a medical condition”
2 of 15 – 1.0 minutes
- Recognition of obesity as a medical condition
- Factors that regulate body weight
- Importance of early weight-loss interventions
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Myth: “Individuals with obesity have low metabolism.”
3 of 15 – 1.0 minutes
- Factors that determine metabolic rate
- Methods to alter metabolic rate
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Myth: "Weight loss of at least 10% over six months is needed for any benefit.”
5 of 15 – 1.5 minutes
- Health benefits by degree of weight loss
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Myth: “Low fat diets are the best way to reduce body fat.”
6 of 15 – 2.0 minutes
- SnackWell phenomenon
- Pitfalls of the low-fat culture
- Current nutrition principles
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Myth: “Increased physical exercise is the only effective way to reduce body weight”
7 of 15 – 1.5 minutes
- Importance of caloric deficit
- Benefits of physical activity
- Exercise recommendations
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Myth: “Behavioral therapy techniques are not necessary for long-term weight loss”
8 of 15 – 2.0 minutes
- Importance of behavioral modification
- Examples of behavioral modification
- Behavioral modification strategies
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Myth: “Vitamins and herbal supplements are effective for weight reduction”
9 of 15 – 1.5 minutes
- Definition of supplements
- No strong evidence of effectiveness for weight reduction
- Dangers of inappropriate supplement use
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Myth: “Bariatric surgery is a cosmetic procedure that requires little effort by the patient following surgery to achieve and maintain weight loss”
10 of 15 – 1.5 minutes
- Eligibility for bariatric surgery
- Benefits of bariatric surgery
- Need for ongoing care
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When am I a candidate for weight-loss medication?
11 of 15 – 1.5 minutes
- Indications for weight-loss medications
- Importance of diet and physical activity
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Myth: “Drugs should not be used to treat obesity, because weight will only be regained once weight-loss medications are discontinued.”
12 of 15 – 1.0 minutes
- Purpose of weight-loss medications
- Benefits of weight-loss medication
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Myth: “All long-term weight-loss medications provide similar weight loss.”
13 of 15 – 1.0 minutes
- Weight-loss reduction ranges
- Considerations for selection of a weight-loss medication
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Myth: “Lifestyle modification is not as important once a weight-loss medication is started.”
14 of 15 – 1.0 minutes
- Role of lifestyle modifications in weight loss
- Lifestyle modifications in clinical trials
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Misconception: “Weight loss medications obtained online are safe and effective.”
15 of 15 – 1.5 minutes
- Compounded medications during drug shortages
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) role in approving medications
- Dangers of non-FDA approved medications
This course does not offer CE credit.
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Holly Lofton, MD, DABOM
Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery and Medicine
NYU Langone Grossman School of Medicine
New York, New York