What is considered the most efficient way to achieve healthy weight loss?

A calorie-reduced diet is considered the most efficient way to achieve healthy weight loss because it directly affects the energy balance in the body. For weight loss to occur, a person must consume fewer calories than they expend. By reducing calorie intake, individuals create a caloric deficit, which prompts the body to utilize stored energy (fat) to meet its energy needs. This process leads to weight loss over time when combined with healthy dietary choices.

While resistance exercise, endurance exercise, and increased muscle mass can contribute positively to weight management and overall health, they often complement dietary changes rather than serve as the primary method for achieving weight loss. Resistance and endurance exercises can help increase caloric expenditure and improve body composition, but they may not be as effective in creating the necessary caloric deficit on their own compared to adjusting dietary intake. Increasing muscle mass can boost metabolism slightly, but the most straightforward and efficient method for weight loss remains through dietary control.