Experts warn weight loss can do more harm than good

What if losing weight isn't the key to being healthy — and could even make things worse?

A growing number of doctors are saying that the traditional focus on weight loss misses the point: habits, overall health, and compassionate care. Most people have a hard time maintaining their ideal weight long-term, and the pressure to 'be thin' can lead to weight stigma, stress, and even eating disorders. Instead, experts are calling for a shift toward a person-centered, evidence-based model of care that prioritizes health—not weight.

Refocus your weight loss goals

According to a new study published in the medical journal The BMJ , focusing solely on weight loss may do more harm than good. Researchers argue that while weight loss is often seen as the key to improving health, this view is too narrow — even misleading.

"Most overweight people find it difficult to maintain significant weight loss through lifestyle changes alone. At the same time, weight loss efforts carry many risks, including reinforcing negative weight stereotypes," explain Dr. Juan Franco and colleagues .

Healthy habits like eating well and exercising are still incredibly important, the researchers stressed. However, weight alone is not an accurate reflection of overall health. They urged doctors to focus on evidence-based care that respects patients' individual needs, goals, and well-being — regardless of their health status.

Limits of lifestyle changes

For decades, the main strategy for treating obesity has been to cut calories and increase exercise. But recent research shows that these prescriptions rarely lead to long-term weight loss. More importantly, they have not been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, or premature death.

This doesn't mean that healthy living is useless — it's still valuable. But by shifting the focus away from weight goals and toward personalized, compassionate care, doctors can provide better support, improve long-term health, and reduce the stigma many patients face.

Obsession with weight loss also contributes to social stigma around weight — negative attitudes and stereotypes based on appearance — which not only negatively impacts mental health, but is also linked to eating disorders, unhealthy eating habits, and weight gain, according to the researchers.

'The research findings reflect a growing awareness that weight is an inadequate measure of health. Alternative approaches such as Health at Every Size (HAES) recognise that good health can be achieved without weight loss, and have shown promising results in improving eating behaviours ' .

The research team concluded:

1. 'Physicians need to be prepared to inform patients seeking weight loss about the benefits and risks of interventions, while minimizing the risk of eating disorders and long-term metabolic effects.'
2. 'A patient-centred approach will deliver better services by being tailored to individual circumstances, while reducing weight bias.'
3. 'Physician advice about healthy eating and exercise is still valuable because it improves health. The main goal is good care regardless of weight — not less concern, but discussing the benefits, risks, and what's important to the patient themselves.'

Although the above methods need to be further evaluated through large-scale clinical trials, physicians can learn to provide more humane and effective care to larger patients.

Marvin Fry

Update 01 August 2025