KarenFittallisahealth
writerwhocontributes
toleadingAustralian
wellnesspublications,
brandsandprograms.Weightlosshas moved from yo-yo fads to cutting-edge science.
HFGuncoverssurprisingnewfactsthelateststudieshaverevealed.How to shift stubborn kilos
WHY CAN’T I
LOSE WEIGHT?
You’re
stressed outPast research has shown ...
that 70 per cent of people use
eating as a stress-management
strategy, and that stress makes
some high-fat, high-sugar foods
— like biscuits and chocolate —
seem more appealing. There’s
a good scientifi c reason for that:
‘comfort foods’ change the way
our bodies respond to stress by
suppressing the release of the
stress hormone cortisol. As a
result, comfort eating becomes
a way of self-medicating.But we now know ...
that unhealthier food choices
can cause a bigger weight gain
when we’re stressed, compared
to eating them in a stress-free
state. That’s according to the
results of an animal-based
Australian study released earlyT
ryingtoloseafewkilos? You’re in very good
company.Rightnow,nearly one out of two
Australiansaredoingthe same thing. But
statisticsalsoshowthatmorethan two–thirds of us
arestilloverweight—sowhileour intentions might
begood,it’sclearsomething’snot working.
Onereasonwe’renotsucceeding with long-term
weightlosscouldbetherestrictive diets we embark
ontodoit.Theymightdeliverimmediate results, but
researchshowstheydon’twork long term because
thebehaviourstheydemandaren’t sustainable. So,
youquitthediet—andregainthe weight.
Butwhatifyou’rehavingtrouble losing even a little,
orany,weight,despitetryingtoeat more healthily and
exercisemore?Scientistshavebeen seeking answers
tothatfrustratingscenariofordecades, and the good
newsisthatthey’venowuncovered several ‘this could
explainit’reasons.
Herearesomeofthereasons that might explain
whyyoucan’tloseweight—and more importantly
—whatyoucandoaboutit.34 healthyfoodguide.com.auhfg FEATURES