"Cutting Calories" is it Really a Good Idea?

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            Obese bodies are extremely efficient when compared with “lean” bodies.  An obese body expends less energy while performing daily activities than a “lean” body expends.  Studies show that obese people have a lower resting metabolic rate (RMR) than thin individuals.  This difference means that overweight individuals actually save more calories each day than lean individuals.  The high efficiency level in the obese population caused a calorie restriction study between obese and lean individuals.  This study showed that obese individuals’ resting metabolic rate decreased by about 15%, making them more efficient!  This increased efficiency counteracts the weight loss that is expected to occur (Perkins et al, 293).  Obese individuals should strive to obtain a favorable nutrient balance in their diets instead of restricting calories to reach their desired weight loss goals because calorie restriction makes the body conserve more energy, not lose more weight.              

Maintaining your bodyweight depends on the balance of energy intake and energy usage.  This is understood as the balance on the calories you ingest and the calories you burn.  This relates directly to each person’s metabolic rate.  According to "The Relevance of Metabolic Rate in Behavioral Medicine Research,” “metabolic rate is the rate at which the body converts nutrients into energy, or the rate at which the body burns calories.”  Even more important, a person’s resting metabolic rate is the rate they burn calories while keeping effort exertion to a minimum.  Thus a person with a slow metabolic rate is expected to easily gain weight because calorie consumption will exceed the calories that are burned.

“Cutting calories” is a common plan that often fails to combat a slow metabolism.  Many people who are overweight blame their body composition on their slow metabolism.  Many of these overweight individuals try to change their diet by “cutting calories.”  Initially, they have great results, but soon they hit a barrier that they cannot penetrate.  The reason their diet stops working is because “cutting calories” has been shown to decrease a person’s resting metabolic rate.  This makes their body even more efficient since the body is now conserving calories.  This will result in the body maintaining its weight rather than losing excess weight.

The difference in resting metabolic rate from person to person is someone’s caloric efficiency.  Some people will be more efficient than others and struggle to lose weight.  Losing weight depends on the nutrient composition that is consumed and routinely exercising.  Trying to lose weight by starving yourself only results in your body conserving the calories you consume.  This odd quality of your resting metabolic rate should be understood when trying to lose weight.

Citation:

            Perkins, Kenneth A. et al. "The Relevance of Metabolic Rate in Behavioral Medicine Research." Behavioral Modification 11.3 (1987): 287-307. Web.