A weekly dose of a diabetes drug appears to lead to significant weight loss in people with obesity, in a development experts have hailed as gamechanging.

Obesity causes 1.2 million deaths in Europe each year, according to the World Health Organization, and the UK has one of the worst obesity rates.

Efforts to tackle the disease have long been focused on diet and exercise, but many people who lose weight this way find they regain it over time.

Now researchers say a diabetes drug, used alongside such interventions, can help people with obesity. Participants in a 72-week trial lost as much as 20% of their body weight.

Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, an international team report that they randomly split 2,539 overweight or obese participants into four equal groups.

One group was offered a self-administered placebo injection once a week for 72 weeks, while the other three groups were offered either 5mg, 10mg or 15mg of a drug called tirzepatide. All participants were also given regular lifestyle counselling sessions to help them stick to low-calorie meals and at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week.

On average, participants had a body weight of 104.8kg, or 16.5 stone, with 94.5% deemed obese. The majority were white and female, and none had diabetes.

The results from those who stuck to the assigned intervention almost 82% of the sample reveal that at the end of the 72-week period participants given 5mg of tirzepatide each week lost an average of 16.1kg, those given 10mg lost an average of 22.2kg and those given the 15mg an average of 23.6kg. Those given a placebo injection lost an average of 2.4kg.

The team add that among those assigned the highest dose of tirzepatide, 91% of participants lost 5% or more of their body weight, compared with 35% of those assigned the placebo. Fifty-seven per cent of those assigned the highest dose lost 20% or more of their body weight compared with 3% of those assigned the placebo.

We should treat obesity as we treat any chronic disease with effective and safe approaches which target underlying disease mechanisms and these results underscore that tirzepatide may be doing just that, said Dr Ania Jastreboff of Yale University, the lead author of the research, which was presented during the American Diabetes Association 82nd Scientific Sessions.

The study comes after the UKs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) approved the use of another drug, semaglutide, for certain groups of people with obesity in February.

Prof Rachel Batterham, an obesity expert at University College London who was not involved in the work, said that like semaglutide, tirzepatide worked by mimicking hormones in the body that help people feel full after eating and which are often at low levels in people with obesity.

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While semaglutide mimics just one hormone, however, tirzepatide mimics two, potentially explaining why the latter appears to have a greater effect.

Weight loss is about improving a persons health. If you want to improve the really difficult complications of obesity, then you need 15-20% weight loss. If you want to improve somebodys heart failure or get rid of their obstructive sleep apnoea, reduce their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, then we need much greater weight loss that we can achieve and sustain with diet alone, Batterham said.

Tom Sanders, professor emeritus of nutrition and dietetics at Kings College London said higher doses of tirzepatide led to more weight loss, but they caused more side effects, mainly nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, while a major concern with this class of drug were its effects on the pancreas.

This class of drugs only works providing the participants stick to the reduced calorie diet prescribed with the drug so it is not a magic bullet, he said.

Dr Simon Cork, a senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University, also said there were challenges.

These drugs are gamechanging for the obesity field but they will only work for as long as the drug is being taken, he said. Current guidance to Nice regarding semaglutide is to take the drug for a maximum of two years, after which it wont be offered again. We know that this is very likely to result in a reversal of the weight loss effects for many people, the same is likely true for tirzepatide.

Naveed Sattar, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, who was not involved in the work, said the latest findings were good news.

He said, however, that like semaglutide, tirezpatide would be expensive for many years and its use would initially be restricted.

The emergence of these new drugs does not mean people should ditch lifestyles as it is far better to prevent obesity in the first place than treat it at a late stage when a lot of damage has already been done, he said.

Fortunately, methods to help people improve their diet are evolving as we learn what works better. But of course, improving the food environment would have the biggest impact of all so should remain a focus for the government.

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Diabetes drug leads to notable weight loss in people with obesity ...

If you are trying to lose weight quickly, you're probably resorting to more "dramatic" ways to help you lose weight. And unfortunately, most may actually sabotage your weight loss goals long-termand also come with negative health consequences.

"Rapid weight loss can lead to dehydration, it can slow your metabolism, and you may actually lose muscle instead of fat!" says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPT, registered dietitian nutritionist in Charleston, S.C. and member of the Eat This, Not That! medical expert board.

She notes that as a rule of thumb, people should shoot for 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week, "although this can vary based on many factors." And the Mayo Clinic confirms that a "safe" amount of weight to drop each week is in fact 1-2 pounds.

While it is possible to lose more weight than that in one week, the methods you take to get there can help or hurt you. Here are five eating habits that will hurt your weight loss goals if you're trying to drop weight quickly. Read on, and for more on how to eat healthy, don't miss Eating Habits to Lose Abdominal Fat As You Age, Say Dietitians.

Cutting back on how much you're eating likely means you're drastically decreasing your calories, which may put your body into starvation mode.

"Your body may adjust its metabolism when food isn't being supplied in adequate amounts, which can wreak havoc on your weight long term," says Manaker.

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Trying to lose weight quickly may also hurt your hydration efforts.

"Some people mistake thirst for hunger, and eat when they are actually thirsty. This can cause consuming too many calories that can lead to weight gain," says Manaker.

Weight loss supplements are inefficientand dangerouswhen it comes to losing weight quickly. Especially if you're solely relying on them to drop pounds.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"Supplements are not a magic bullet for weight loss," says Manaker. "Taking supplements without modifying your diet will likely not result in the outcomes you want to see."

RELATED:These 14 Popular Weight Loss Supplements Do Not Work, New Study Says

Some people may assume that cutting back on food still means they can imbibebut it's likely hurting your weight loss efforts.

"Alcohol can be loaded with empty calories, which can lead to weight gain," says Manaker. "Plus, drinking too much alcohol can lower inhibitions, possibly causing people to make unhealthy choices when choosing what they eat."

Most people assume that "fat-free" foods may hold the key to losing weight quickly. But if you cut out fat completely, you actually are missing out on its weight loss benefits.

"Fat has gotten a bad rap over the years, but healthy fats, like those from olive oil and avocados, can help people feel satiated and support weight loss goals," says Manaker.

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5 Worst Eating Habits for Rapid Weight Loss, Says Dietitian Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

If youve struggled to lose weight throughout the years, youve probably tried some form of low-calorie at some point. Whether or not you saw good results, doctors are now saying that low-calorie diets could actually be harmful to your body. So where does that leave you? Well, the answer may be in low-carb diets that help fuel weight loss, while also being sustainable.

For years, many doctors have preached about the benefits of low-calorie diets as a way to help fuel weight loss. However, now, new research says that those types of diets may actually slow your metabolism. Thus, making it more difficult to lose weight in the long run. As such, doctors have begun recommending low-carb diet options instead.

Where low-carb and low-calorie diets differ is that low-calorie diets require you to count the calories of the foods youre eating. As such, you have to be very limiting in how much you can eat of any given thing. With low carbs, though, you need to avoid foods that have large amounts of carbohydrates in them.

Diets like the keto diet follow this low-carb setup. Basically, you cut out heavy carb items like bread, pasta, and potatoes. From there, you watch how many carbs youre taking in by eating foods that offer lower amounts of them. Seems similar to low-calorie diets, right? Well, it is, but its also very different.

When youre counting calories, youre causing your body to fight back, Dr. David Ludwig, professor of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, explained to Today. It causes you to be hungry and even causes the body to slow down its metabolism to not burn through stored calories as quickly.

So, how does counting carbs help? According to Dr. Ludwig and his colleagues, a low-carb diet promotes weight loss by controlling your bodys insulin. When counting calories, you arent controlling your insulin. When insulin levels get too high, your fat cells are programmed to store calories. This keeps your bloodstream from becoming overloaded with them.

With low carb, though, youre controlling your insulin levels better. This allows your body to burn calories as needed, instead of storing them for later. Additionally, low-carb diets are more sustainable than low-calorie diets. Thereby making them better for weight loss if you stick with them.

Ultimately, you dont have to go for a low-carb diet as strict as keto to lose weight. However, Dr. Ludwig and his associates recommend speaking with your doctor to see if a more limited diet of carbs will help with your weight loss goals.

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If you cant lose weight by eating less, these doctors may have the solution - BGR

More patients getting second weight loss surgery

As weight loss surgery becomes more common in the U.S., so is the need for second operation because it's not working. The rising number of patients returning for another shows the persistent difficulty in treating obesity over the long term. (Feb. 28)

AP

Touted as a superfood and a cure for a range of conditions, apple cider vinegar has long been hyped among social media users and wellness gurus.

AnApril 23 Facebook postthat garnered over 600 shares in twodays suggests mixing baking soda, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice to lose weight.

A 2021 Facebook video that accumulated 2.5 million views is also recirculating, purporting to offer the "best apple cider vinegar drink recipe for weight loss."

"Apple Cider Vinegar is often touted as a super elixir, capable of aiding in weight loss and improving health conditions," reads text accompanying the video, which has also been shared nearly 40,000 times.

But there is limited scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss, according to experts who spoke with USA TODAY. Human studies on apple cider vinegar for weight loss have not demonstrated consistent or convincing results.

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USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook userswho shared the claim for comment.

There is not enough research to declare apple cider vinegar a weight-loss tool, experts say.

"The evidence is not clear," said Carol S. Johnston, a professor of nutrition and associate dean of the nutrition program atArizona State University. "Research does not show a benefit with weight loss in humans."

Johnston pointed to studies of rodents that revealacetic acid, the main active ingredient in apple cider vinegar, can modify fat oxidation and metabolic abnormalities in obese mice and rats.

"If you can enhance fat oxidation,it will help with the loss of fat," said Johnston. "I do think there could be a potential for vinegar slowing weight gain perhaps over time or contributing to weight loss."

Another study involving ratspublished in 2019in Bioscience Research discovered apple cider vinegar can be used as a "functional beverage that regulates body weight ... (and) atherogenic risk related to obesity." This strategycan be a beneficial technique for weight loss and obesity prevention, according to the study.

But little research has been conductedon the effects of apple cider vinegar on weight lossin humans, and somestudies have been inconclusive.

The most cited study was conductedin 2009 with 175 overweight Japanese subjects. Participants were given one or two tablespoons of vinegar daily or no vinegar at all. After 12 weeks, those whoconsumed vinegar had a modest weight loss of 2 to 4 pounds.

Johnston said the study did not show sufficient weight lossbecause the participants' weight fluctuated by so little.

"Tosee significant weight loss after 12 weeks, you could just be seeing a hydration issue where they're not holding as much body water."

Fact check:Experts say diet, exercise not hormones are primary drivers of weight gain

A study published in 2018yielded similarly minimal results and had a much smaller sample size. A total of39 participantswho followed a low-calorie dietwith apple cider vinegarfor 12 weeks lost 3 to 4 pounds andhad a lowerbody mass index.

In addition to having unproven benefits, experts say regular vinegar consumption carries some risk.

A2016study of vinegarin the journal Food Sciencerevealed the high acidity in apple cider vinegar can cause tooth decay and throat irritation if ingested undiluted in large amounts.

"There's plenty of ways touse (apple cider vinegar) and adddelicious flavors to your meals," said Wesley McWhorter, director of the Nourish Program at the Dell Center for Healthy Living at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

But McWhorter saidnot to expect apple cider vinegarto solveweight loss issues.

"To say adding it into your drink is going to solve all of your dietary problems is just not accurate," he said.

Based on our research, we rate MISSING CONTEXTthe claim that consuming apple cider vinegar helps with weight loss. There is nostrongevidence thatapple cider vinegar is effective in spurringweight loss. Clinical studies have hadsmall sample sizes and shown inconsistent findings across participants who have taken apple cider vinegar to lose weight.

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You cansubscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

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Fact check: No convincing proof that apple cider vinegar helps with weight loss - USA TODAY

NEW YORK Nine in 10 American adults have tried at least one weight loss strategy in their lifetime. A poll of 2,000 adults reveals that 91 percent have tried at least one strategy for weight loss, with half claiming that theyve tried 11 different methods of shedding extra weight!

A quarter of Americans even confessed to trying at least 16 different weight loss strategies.

In fact, 32 percent of respondents who have been on a weight loss journey reported successfully losing weight but then gaining it back, while only 28 percent report successfully losing weight and keeping it off.

However, going on a weight loss journey doesnt appear to be sustainable for many, as respondents described their overall experience with weight loss as overwhelming (37%) or unsuccessful (31%). Only 15 percent described their weight loss experience as rewarding. Almost two-thirds (65%) agree that it is difficult to think about weight loss long-term because of the sacrifices that come with it.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of evidence-based weight care platform, Found, the survey revealed that most respondents felt that losing weight (34%) required more sacrifice than having kids (33%), cutting back on finances (30%), and even starting a new job (28%).

Reflecting on their own weight loss experiences, respondents felt they had to sacrifice their happiness (31%), mental well-being (29%), and love or relationships (28%) in order to lose weight. More than half (54%) have even given up on losing weight because they felt they were sacrificing too much.

Those surveyed had goals that went beyond the numbers on the scale. Of those who have gone on a weight loss journey, 44 percent said the outcome they were most hoping for was feeling more confident with their bodies. Other popular goals include wanting to feel healthier overall (42%) and wanting to be able to do an activity without stopping, such as walking a mile, climbing stairs, or strolling through the mall (42%).

In fact, almost four in five (79%) want to be healthier, not skinnier. Two in five wanted to have more energy and 34 percent felt victorious when others noticed their efforts.

This data validates what many of us who have tried to lose weight before have known for a long time: that traditional weight loss journeys require too much sacrifice and leans too heavily on the idea of personal willpower, says Dr. Acacia Parks, chief behavioral health officer at Found, in a statement. As someone who has struggled with my weight my whole life and also as an expert in psychology, I know that the feeling of extreme sacrifice doesnt lead to lasting weight loss or positive mental health and only fuels stigma around needing help. To achieve sustainable weight loss, it is important to provide people with a personalized program that works with their unique biology and lifestyle, not against it.

Beyond sacrifice, another key challenge with weight loss according to survey respondents is the stigma associated with the journey. The data reveals that this stigma is decreasing compared to several years ago, with 73 percent of respondents reporting that they are more comfortable discussing weight loss with their family and friends compared to five years ago.

Looking at health overall, 71 percent take medication for physical or mental health conditions, or both. In addition, the concern around discussing these medications openly has decreased, with more than half (59%) of all respondents feeling more comfortable talking about their medications than they were a few years ago.

Although people are more comfortable discussing their weight loss today compared with five years ago, there is still some stigma around discussing the medications theyre taking for their physical and mental health.

Results showed that 41 percent of respondents are very comfortable talking about their physical health medications, such as for diabetes and thyroid, compared with only 29 percent who feel the same with mental health medications, such as for anxiety or depression.

In terms of medications related to weight loss, one in three wished they had access to taking prescription weight loss medications to lose weight.

Its time we evolve the mainstream weight loss narratives that are outdated and tell us its our fault we arent losing weight, says Dr. Rekha Kumar, chief medical officer at weight care platform, Found. The science clearly shows that eating and exercise changes dont address the biological components associated with weight, which is why medications can be extremely valuable in a weight loss journey.

Clinical evidence proves that medication in combination with lifestyle changes can result in up to an additional 7-10 percent total weight loss, Kumar continues. This survey validates that people are struggling to find effective and long-term weight loss solutions, with 37 percent looking for both a supportive community and access to a program that feels sustainable.

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Can't get in shape? 1 in 4 have tried at least 16 different weight loss strategies! - Study Finds

Do you find yourself dreaming about the molten chocolate cake from Chili's? Or resisting birthday cake more than usual? We get it. While sticking to your diet can be daunting with so many sweet treats around, the good news is: It doesn't have to be. We rounded up the best healthy cake recipes, so you can have your cake and eat it too.

RELATED: 22 Meals to Melt Belly Fat in 2022

There's nothing quite like a slice of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. Make your own cream cheese bliss at home with our copycat recipe. Our recipes slices the crust and the calories in half, without sacrificing taste or flavor.

Get our recipe for Copycat Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake.

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There's never a bad time for chocolate. Whether you're watching your weight or trying out a clean diet this year, this vegan chocolate cake has something for everyone. This recipe is eggless, dairy-free, and the best part? It can all be made in one bowl. Dark chocolate and (optional) espresso powder add the perfect punch to lock-in that decadent chocolate flavor.

Get the recipe from The Clever Meal.

Birthdays are always a celebration, but for some, they can be taunting. If you find yourself dreaming of birthday cake but trying to avoid the layers of icing or the fatty vanilla cake, try this whole wheat birthday cake instead. Made without butter and zero refined sugars, this is the perfect sweet treat to help celebrate an occasion.

Get the recipe from Love In My Oven.

If you're craving something sweet but don't want a large slice, look no further! These healthy cake pops are a dream for anyone trying to eat sweet while staying healthy. Made with almond flour, cream cheese, coconut oil, and arrowroot powder, these cake pops are gluten-free and perfect for a mini celebration in your mouth.

Get the recipe from Erin Lives Whole.

This recipe will have your tastebuds in the clouds. Made with just two ingredients, applesauce and gelatin, these fluffy delights skips all the trans fat and oils of eggs, flour, butter, and oil.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Get the recipe from Kirbie Cravings.

It's 'berry' surprising how amazing a healthy coffee cake can be. This dessert is perfect to cozy up with on a cool winter day. Dairy-free, flour-free, and made without refined sugar, this treat provides amazing health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease.

Get the recipe from The Endless Meal.

Get a refreshing kick out of your dessert with this skinny lime poke cake. Made with sugar-free lime Jell-O, diet lemon-lime soda and sugar-free vanilla pudding, this treat satisfies the tastebuds while promoting weight loss.

Get the recipe from Yummy Healthy Easy.

When life gives you lemons, make this lemon cake. This sweet and light treat is low-fat with the usage of Greek yogurt, sugar-free, and low in calories.

Get the recipe from Baking 4 Happiness.

The anticipation of a warm and gooey chocolate cake can make a person want to explode, but with our recipe, you don't have to. With only 320 calories and 22 grams of fat, our chocolate chili molten cake will have you melt with joy for its amazing flavor and health benefits.

Get our recipe for Copycat Chili Chocolate Molten Cake.

You'll go bananas for this banana cake. Made with ripe bananas, buttermilk, gluten-free flour, and a date frosting, this cake is perfect for someone looking to eat sweet without all the carbs.

Get the recipe from Fermenting For Foodies.

Oreo's are typically the epitome of sugar, but this recipe allows you to enjoy milk's favorite cookie without the guilt of the sugar. This cake is made with a light chocolate cake and a sugar-free cream cheese frosting. Added protein power helps build and strengthen muscles and fat, while each slice only contains 26g of carbs and only 230 calories.

Get the recipe from Mason Fit.

Criss-cross applesauce, this one-bowl applesauce cake is perfect for a winter snack. Packed with ground oats for protein, coconut oil, and pecans for fiber, an applesauce cake a day will certainly help keep the doctor away.

Get the recipe from Chelsea's Messy Apron.

Three reasons to love this three-milk cake: it's gluten-free, made with coconut and almond flour, and only has 235 calories.

Get the recipe from Picky Eater Blog.

While there's often a debate if carrot cake can really be considered cake, carrots don't have to be boring. This healthy carrot cake recipe is packed with tons of antioxidants and vitamins from raisins and carrots, while coconut oil, yogurt and almond milk, along with a mixture of ground spices provide the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Get the recipe from A Sweet Pea Chef.

RELATED:35+ Easy Recipes Anyone Can Make at Home

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14 Healthy, Guilt-Free Cake Recipes That Are Perfect for Weight Loss Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Rebel Wilson shocked fans last year with her weight loss journey. Quite literally the Internet was going crazy over her Awards night looks and swimsuit pictures. Up until now, the "Pitch Perfect" star credited her transformation to self-care: she focused on herself and her body during the pandemic. However, according to a new interview the star did with PEOPLE, self-care wasn't her only motivation.

In fact, Wilson's care for others a future family, in particular fueled her healthy habits. In 2019, the celeb's fertility doctor recommended that she lost weight if she wanted to successfully freeze her eggs. "I was taken aback. I thought, 'Oh God, this guy's so rude.' He was right. I was carrying around a lot of excess weight," Wilson told PEOPLE. "It's almost like I didn't think of my own needs. I thought of a future child's needs that really inspired me to get healthier."

The "Senior Year" star knew that if she took better care of herself, she could better care for a child. But in order to do that, she had to get to the root of her eating habits: "It was about dealing with the emotional issues that caused me to emotionally eat, and that's a process," she told PEOPLE.

Wilson only more recently considered fertility as an option, telling PEOPLE that she would love to have a family with or without a partner. "Any woman who's gone through it, I really relate to," she said in her PEOPLE interview. "It's been an emotional rollercoaster. I don't know how it's going to end. But I'm still young enough to try."

Although the celeb's obviously lost a ton of weight, she still has to work to maintain that same level of self-care and self-love that got her there. This includes incorporating different forms of exercise, eating protein, and allowing room for cheat meals.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Body image will always be important to Wilson, and she's very vocal about it. "There is a societal bias towards what society deems as good-looking. It's not right," she told PEOPLE. "You want to celebrate all body types but I also want to encourage people to be healthy."

Being healthy for future children and then for herself continues to be Wilson's #1 priority. You go, girl!

For more on celeb weight loss, check out Raven-Symon Shares How She Lost 30 Pounds in 3 Months.

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Mia Salas

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Rebel Wilson Reveals Another Reason Behind Her 80-Pound Weight Loss Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That