High cost of rapid weight loss: A cautionary tale for athletes, brides

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Vinesh Phogat, one of India's most promising wrestlers, saw her Olympic dream end abruptly due to a mere 100-gram weight discrepancy.

To gain weight, she underwent an excruciating process that involved intense workouts, sauna sessions and severe dehydration. The tight schedule between matches and the considerable distance between the competition venue and the athletes' village further compounded the challenge.

Despite her relentless efforts, Vinesh was unable to meet the weight criteria, leading to her disqualification. Her story sheds light on the dangerous and often extreme measures athletes take to meet stringent weight requirements.

Unfortunately, the trend of rapid weight loss is not confined to the world of sports. This practice is becoming increasingly common among brides eager to shed pounds before their big day.

The pressure to conform to societal standards of beauty and achieve a "perfect" wedding day appearance is driving many women to adopt drastic and unhealthy weight loss methods. Dr NG Kanchan, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Trilife Hospital, warns that rapid weight loss can have serious health consequences.

"Rapid weight loss trends, like those seen in sports and among brides, can be dangerous," he says. The potential health risks associated with such drastic methods are significant and far-reaching. Losing weight too quickly can lead to a variety of health problems, including headaches, irritability, fatigue, dizziness, constipation, hair loss, muscle loss, and nutritional deficiencies.

Dr Kanchan said, “These issues can weaken the immune system, making it easier for infections to occur. In women, rapid weight loss can cause fluctuations in estrogen levels, leading to irregular menstrual cycles. This hormonal imbalance can have long-term effects on reproductive health and overall well-being.”

“The body’s reaction to rapid weight loss can be severe, with long-term consequences that are often underestimated. Rapid fluctuations in weight can significantly impact a person's overall health, potentially leading to chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and neurological disorders,” urged Dr. Kanchan.

These weight changes can also disrupt hormonal balance, resulting in endocrine disorders. Furthermore, he stressed that rapid weight changes can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including palpitations, heart attacks, ischemia, rate-related disorders, arrhythmias, and even valvular conditions.

To mitigate these risks, Dr Kanchan emphasises o. importance of a well-planned and supervised approach to weight management.

"Healthy weight loss is gradual, typically around 1 kg per week or less, and is achieved through balanced nutrition and regular exercise," he explains.

This approach preserves muscle mass and supports overall well-being. In contrast, unhealthy rapid weight loss often involves extreme diets and other harmful practices that can have devastating consequences for both physical and mental health.

Dr Kanchan advises young women, in particular, to resist the pressure to achieve unrealistic body standards. "It is advisable to embark on a weight loss or weight gain plan only after consulting with a nutritionist or dietitian," he suggests.

"A well-planned and supervised approach allows the body to adjust more smoothly to the change in weight, and relying on natural methods for weight loss is preferable." Dr Kanchan also cautions against specific dietary or exercise regimes that are particularly harmful when it comes to rapid weight loss.

"Crash diets or popular food myths circulating on social media are often unrealistic, dangerous, and even life-threatening at times," he says.

Additionally, over-the-counter supplements and chemicals like steroids and Botox, which are sometimes used to achieve rapid weight loss, can have harmful side effects, particularly concerning cardiovascular health. Disconnection will be enforced if the due amount, including the additional security deposit, exceeds Rs 100.