When most people try to lose weight, they watch one number: the scale. But not all weight loss is...
Comparing common diets to those at a medical weight loss center, one year results analyzed
By: Scottsdale Weight Loss Center
Published: January 24, 2019
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It has been previously shown that 5% weight loss leads to a 50% reduction hypertension and diabetes risk, or 15 pounds for a 200 lb. individual. Long term weight loss is difficult as it leads to compensatory reduction of Leptin, which reduces metabolism and increases appetite at the level of the hypothalamus. Also, weight loss causes an increase in baseline and peak levels of the appetite stimulating hormone ghrelin. These changes persist for at least one year, and likely lifelong.
In a landmark study published in JAMA (Dansinger et al, 2005), common diets and their weight loss at one year was studied. The results were as follows: Ornish 3 pounds, Atkins 4.6 pounds, Weight Watchers 6.6 pounds, and Zone diet 7 pounds of weight loss. While these results are significant, they are not enough to have marked effects on one’s health
These results were compared to a retrospective analysis of data from a medical weight loss program (Scottsdale Weight Loss Center, Scottsdale, AZ (SWLC)). The results were segregated by BMI, and showed an average one-year weight loss of 36.2 pounds for those with a BMI of 35-40 (N=354), and 47.4 pounds for those with BMI of 40-45 (N=206). These results are well above the amount required to reduce risks of diabetes and hypertension.
The reasons for the significantly greater medical weight loss includes:
- Personalized diets administered by physicians can be safely administered at a much lower calorie intake than self help diets, and with less hunger.
- The addition of weight loss medications enhances compliance with the diet and reduces the effect of increased appetite and lower metabolism that occurs as a result of weight loss.
- The addition of support and education enhances long term change.
- Specific exercise counseling improves weight maintenance after effective weight loss.
Summary: These results confirm that the individualized medical treatment of obesity at a weight loss center leads to 5-6 times the weight loss compared to self help diets. That level of weight loss is likely to lead to reductions of diabetes and hypertension.
Nick
Nick's Story
"I wish I would have come here first. We spend all our time reacting to the next great weight loss tip or program. It might work for a while, but does not last and we end up yo-yoing from one fad to the next – as we gain more weight." Read More
Gina
Lost 44.5 lbs
"I had no trouble adhering to the meals and they really helped catapult my progress! The classes were so beneficial to me because they helped change my thinking about how I viewed health, nutrition, and fitness.
I will always have my relationship with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. They truly helped me change my life forever." Read More
Lauren
Lost 60 lbs
"Dr. Ziltzer and everyone who I have come in contact with at the Scottsdale Weight Loss office have been so encouraging and I look forward to seeing them each week. It is now a year and 2 months later since I started. I am down 60 lbs., which is the average amount a 9-year-old weighs, it is crazy to think I lost a whole person! I feel amazing, I hit my goal weight in November 2021 just before Thanksgiving. Nothing on my body hurts anymore..." Read More
Chuck
Lost 66 lbs
"The best thing I did was call the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. I have a lot more energy, I'm not hungry, and it feels great.
You can take it from me that this is a program that produces results. The staff is always positive, supportive, and never judgmental.
Your visits always result in positive reinforcement, no matter if you had a good week or a bad week." Read More
Emily
Lost 101 lbs
"Here I am at the lowest I have been since high school weighing in at 155lbs. I have lost 101 lbs, BMI of 39 when I started, to 21.6, and of course at body fat % of 47.1 to 26.5%. I told myself by my 30th birthday I wanted to be confident in the way I look and I owe it all to SWLC. The entire staff is so welcoming and they are rooting for you just as much as you are rooting for yourself...." Read More
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Meet Our Team
Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Diana Bone, FNP-C
Specializing in Obesity Medicine
Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Kristen Ash, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Alicia Earley, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
