Conduct a study, as many have.
Control the obese group with 1,000 calories per day of balanced nutrition.
Every single one of them will lose weight rapidly.
100%, with not even a single mil of error.
And their weight will also drop in a directly correlation to their activity level.
Absolutely predictable.
But I think the argument you are making is that hormone excesses, deficits and imbalances make it harder for some people to move more and eat less.
I agree.
But I am also certain it occurs with some regularity.
Actually, I’m arguing that hormones can make it VERY hard for your body to access visceral fat. In a sense, it become a locked room. Not IMPOSSIBLE to access, but very difficult.
As a result, your body WILL burn muscle tissue before it burns the visceral fat, and since your body is then starving, you have a very strong urge to eat. Because in a sense you NEED to eat.
There is good evidence that at least two sources can lock up fat: insulin, and POSSIBLY the types of bacteria in your gut.
When I was in the 9th grade, I lost 50 lbs - from 155 to 105. By the end, I was eating 800-1,000 calories a day. And walking 6 miles a day. And when I stopped, I gained part of it back - up to 125, which was still much better than 155!
Over the last 40 years, my weight has varied from 130-190. Ideal for me would be about 145. Right now, 155. I was at 185 3 years ago when I started with Keto and Intermittent Fasting. Now? I can’t see my abs, but it is very obvious where they are hiding!
That didn’t happen in months. It has taken 3 years. And still more room to go. Maybe I’ll get to 145. Maybe not. But unlike everything else I’ve tried in 40+ years (almost 50 now)...keto and IF are making a lasting difference.
Note: My sister NEVER had these issues. She never got very fat and has no need to use keto or IF. For her, it really IS just calories in versus out. I think obesity as a kid threw my body out of whack and it is finally, after 3 years of work, turning into a normal, healthy body.
PS: I spent years doing low fat diets because that is what everyone said worked. I’d get severe headaches, feel weak, WOULD LOSE WEIGHT...and then gain it back because the pain was not sustainable. In essence, daily migraines. Using Keto and IF, I can cut calories and lose. And live like this for the rest of my life. And yes, even with keto and IF, I need to control total calories. But this approach lets me do so without hideous headaches.
Not for everyone. But two friends of mine have had the same experience. One is now on year 14 of his “diet”.