Some weight-loss myths

Dr. Douglas Street, Contributor

With obesity ballooning into a problem worldwide, individuals and governments are becoming increasingly interested in ways to achieve weight loss that are effective.

Desperation often sets in and persons may listen to just about anyone with an idea. Sometimes even expert advice can be incorrect as it may be linked to incomplete information or even bias.

Here are some weight-loss myths:

1) Set realistic goals: Actually, setting ambitious goals for weight loss is more likely to lead to significant weight loss.

2) Weight loss should be done over a long period of time: Weight loss has been shown to be less effective when drawn out and should rather be tackled aggressively.

3) Having breakfast helps you to lose weight: It's not the fact that you have breakfast that brings about weight loss but the actual contents of your meals.

4) Sex burns a lot of energy: Sex actually burns about 14 kilocalories on average, which is really not that much.

5) Fats should be avoided when dieting: Fats are a very important part of every diet, even those trying to lose weight. Some vitamins (A, D, E and K) require fat for absorption. Instead, go for limited amounts of mainly plant- and fish-based fats. Animal fats are much less healthy.

6) Breastfeeding will prevent obesity: Breastfeeding has not been conclusively shown to reduce childhood obesity as the methodology used in the studies may have been biased.

7) Fast food should be avoided: Fast food is not always bad. It's important to be vigilant about the types of fast food and the frequency of consumption. Those rich in unhealthy ingredients should be limited/avoided, though.

8) Snacking is always bad: Again, it's not whether you snack or not that snacking is unhealthy, but what you snack on. Low-energy snacks can be had, especially fruits and vegetables.

9) Fruits and vegetables will cause weight loss: These will not in and of themselves cause weight loss but can be used to replace high-calorie foods.

10) Some foods will melt fat: No such food is known to exist.

There is a lot of information that is out there which has not really been proven. Much of this information is derived from 'hand-me-downs'. A lot of it sounds nice and easy to implement, but will not likely help in serious weight-loss effort. Double-checking information is important to ensure it is credible and safe.