New Report Debunks Common Weight Loss Misconceptions

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Losing weight is tough, and there's so much information about dieting that it's hard to know what's true and what's not.

But a new report in the New England Journal of Medicine is debunking myths about obesity.

Dr. Diana Thomas, one of the report's authors, clears up some widespread misconceptions. For instance: If you make a small lifestyle change -- like walking 20 minutes a day -- it will add up to large long-term weight changes.

Thomas says you'll eventually just plateau.

And another myth: that losing weight too fast can be bad for you.

"That doesn't appear to be true," she said. "From randomized control trials, it seems the large weight loss at the beginning is better."

The report also says that setting realistic goals does not impact weight loss and that breastfeeding does not protect a child from obesity later in life.