New research from the CSIRO has verified that shedding excess weight can enhance physical and emotional wellbeing, with benefits going far beyond just the scale’s readings.

The national science body explored the wider advantages of weight loss, surveying 1300 past and current participants in its wellbeing diet program, reiterating well-documented connections between obesity and negative health outcomes.

Alex Sala, a participant in the online diet program, lost 13 kilograms over six months. 

“What I needed first of all was to make the conscious change that I can look better and I need to do something about it, it won’t happen magically,” she said.

The research found that up to 90 per cent of individuals who lost over 15 kilograms reported enhancements in health, wellbeing, energy levels, and mobility. 

Furthermore, 64 per cent of those with type 2 diabetes experienced an improvement in their condition and 12 per cent no longer had the disease. 

Additional health markers also saw improvements, with 40 per cent noting better mental health, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, while 30 per cent experienced decreased chronic pain, osteoporosis, sleep apnoea, and arthritis.

“Just to hear about the changes in their mood, their energy levels, their satisfaction with life just really showed us there was a lot more to weight loss than just the numbers on a scale,” CSIRO lead researcher Dr Gilly Hendrie said.

Ray Hart lost 50 kilograms in 10 months, having previously weighed 141 kilograms. 

“I’m fitter than I’ve ever been, healthier than I’ve ever been,” he said.

“My life and longevity is going to be considerably longer than it was when I was heavy.”

It wasn’t just the health benefits that changed but spending habits too. 

Participants actually spent $10 more per month but were spending their money on more healthy foods, exercise and even clothes rather than takeaways and alcohol.