Instant Genius Busting the biggest weight loss myths
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Jul 3, 2025 
Giles Yeo, a geneticist and obesity expert from the University of Cambridge, uncovers the truth about weight loss myths. He explains how our bodies extract calories from food and the surprising realities of exercise's impact on weight. Yeo emphasizes the role of brain reward pathways in our appetites, explores intermittent fasting, and addresses the rise of weight loss injections. He advocates for personalized, sustainable weight loss strategies over quick fixes, highlighting the complexity of obesity and nutrition in the UK.
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Better Metrics for Overweight
- Body fat percentage combined with waist-to-hip ratio is a better measure of overweight than BMI alone.
- Fat distribution impacts health, with apple-shaped bodies having higher metabolic risk.
Calories Aren't Equal
- Calories on food labels don’t reflect how much energy the body actually absorbs due to food type and digestion costs.
- Protein costs more energy to metabolize, so 100 calories of protein provides fewer usable calories than fat or carbs.
Calorie Counting Needs Balance
- Calorie counting can work if done with a nutritionally balanced diet.
- Avoid blindly counting calories without considering food quality and nutrition.
