Weight Loss And ...

When you're losing weight, you probably think about dropping dress sizes, improving blood sugar, or reducing joint pain. But what if some popular weight loss approaches could actually be setting you up for broken bones later in life? It's a connection most people never make and one that could change how you think about your weight loss journey.

This hidden risk becomes even more important as new weight loss medications help people achieve dramatic results. While losing 30+ pounds can transform your health in countless positive ways, there's a conversation happening between your bones and your weight that you've probably never heard about. The surprising truth? Even moderate weight loss of just 6-9% can significantly increase your risk for fractures.

Join Holly and Jim as they sit down with Dr. Sue Shapses, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University and a leading expert on the relationship between weight loss and bone health. For over 30 years, Sue has been uncovering how our weight loss strategies affect skeletal strength and long-term bone function. Her research reveals why people with obesity might have denser bones that are actually weaker and what you can do to protect yourself during weight loss.

Discussed on the episode:

  • The shocking discovery about bone quality in people with obesity that challenges everything doctors thought they knew
  • Why successful weight loss can increase fracture risk by 39% and what defines "successful" in this context
  • The surprising reason your body actually decreases calcium absorption during weight loss (hint: it's not what you'd expect)
  • Whether clinicians prescribing new weight loss medications should monitor bone density
  • The three key factors that create a "bone health trifecta" and why two of them have nothing to do with weight
  • Why getting a DEXA scan during active weight loss might be a waste of money
  • The specific amounts of calcium, vitamin D, and protein that can help protect your bones during weight loss
  • How high-fat diets might compromise bone health in ways that go beyond weight gain
  • The parallel between muscle and bone that's changing how researchers approach both fields
  • Real listener questions answered: Should a 45-year-old on GLP-1 medication get a DEXA scan now?

What is Weight Loss And ...?

Your go-to hangout for everything weight loss… and beyond! “Weight Loss and…” is brought to you by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and hosted by seasoned experts in weight management, Dr. James Hill and Dr. Holly Wyatt.

We’re your friendly guides through the maze of weight loss, but with a fun twist. We’re not here to preach the latest fad diet or promise a miracle workout. Instead, we’re all about embracing the journey, acknowledging there’s more than one way to hit your health goals, and having a good laugh while we’re at it.

We get it: weight loss can be tough, and sometimes pretty serious business. But why can’t it also be enjoyable? With a side of humor, we’ll bring you science-backed insights, real-life stories, and some hard truths. (Spoiler alert: there’s no magic answer - but that doesn’t mean we can’t find what works best for you.)

“Weight Loss and…” is your inclusive space to explore, question, and learn — and to feel part of a community along the way. This isn’t just about shedding pounds. It’s about gaining perspective, building better habits, and enjoying the ride.

So if you’re up for honest conversations about weight loss - spiced with a little science and a whole lot of fun - pull up a chair, plug in those earbuds, and let’s see where this journey takes us.