The Fat Trap (New York Times Magazine)

For years, the advice to the overweight and obese has been that we simply need to eat less and exercise more. While there is truth to this guidance, writes Tara Parker-Pope, it fails to take into account that the human body continues to fight against weight loss long after dieting has stopped. This translates into a sobering reality: once we become fat, most of us, despite our best efforts, will probably stay fat. From a health perspective, this doesn’t mean that those who struggle with weight should stop trying to lose it, but it does mean that we might benefit from setting more realistic goals. Studies suggest that even a 5 percent weight loss can lower a person’s risk for diabetes, heart disease and other health problems associated with obesity, so small steps could be the key to decreasing health concerns and health costs.