Expert reveals 3 effective weight loss interventions

Los Angeles: Losing even a couple of pounds is a herculean task. However, if you are determined to say hasta la vista to extra kilos there are three proven levels of intervention, depending on your individual needs.

The three proven levels of intervention for the weight loss are lifestyle changes, medications and surgery.

"If you really want to keep weight off, it requires permanent lifestyle changes. ... There are no quick fixes," CNN reported, citing registered dietitian Mascha Davis as saying.

According to Davis' trifecta approach three areas of your lifestyle that might require change are food, exercise and sleep. Coming to diet, you might start eating more fiber-rich vegetables and aim to drink more water. Being more physically active might involve taking the stairs instead of the elevator and parking your car farther from an entrance, the report said.

Sleep impacts hunger and satiety hormones thereby getting enough Zs is imperative to achieve those much-desired digits on the weighing machine. "Less sleep you get, the higher your weight tends to be," Davis said.

If you are unable to lose weight or to continue losing after an initial loss despite making changes to your diet, exercise and sleep habits it might be time to consider a weight loss medication. However, it is important to seek out a certified physician and even more imperative is the prescription of the right medicines based upon your medical history.

According to registered dietitian Sue Cummings only a professional can responsibly help you manage the risks and benefits of different drugs. Weight loss medications are typically indicated for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, CNN reported.

If you have tried your hands at both the levels of intervention to no avail, then sticking to surgery is certainly the last resort. "You consider surgery when other therapies for obesity fail," Cummings added, "The person has been through everything -- and now they have diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis. That's when you would really start to think about surgery."

The criteria for bariatric surgery include a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher with health problems including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or sleep apnea.

Complications of surgery may include infection, bleeding, poor absorption of nutrients or dehydration early on, as well as ulcers and hernias. With the aforementioned weight loss interventions, draping the most coveted outfit from your favourite designer is not far away.