Introduction

 

For years, people have been told that the key to weight loss is reducing calories and increasing activity.  While the calories-in, calories-out model of weight loss works for many people, the fact that there is an obesity epidemic suggests that it is not the right approach for all people.  Instead, there seem to be other factors that contribute to weight loss and to individual resistance to weight loss, which go beyond simple calories equations.  In addition, some people seem to naturally consume more energy to perform basic functions.  These people have higher metabolisms, which means they can consume more calories before experiencing unwanted weight gain.  Other people have lower metabolisms, which means that they experience unwanted weight gain after consuming a lower number of calories than average.  This outline for a weight loss essay will explore some of the factors that can help contribute to a successful weight loss plan.

Weight Loss Essay Outline Template

 

I. Introduction

A. Introduce your topic. 

B. Subtopic 1

C. Subtopic 2

D. Subtopic 3

E. Subtopic 4

F. Thesis statement

II. Subtopic 1

A. Supporting fact 1

B. Supporting fact 2

C. Supporting fact 3 

D. Supporting fact 4

III. Subtopic 2

A. Supporting fact 1

B. Supporting fact 2

C. Supporting fact 3

D. Supporting fact 4

IV. Subtopic 3 

A. Supporting fact 1

B. Supporting fact 2

C. Supporting fact 3

D. Supporting fact 4

V. Subtopic 4

A. Supporting fact 1 

1. Example 1

2. Example 2

3. Example 3

B. Supporting fact 2 

1. Explanation 1

2. Explanation 2 

C. Supporting fact 3 

1. Additional support

2. Additional support 

3. Additional support  

4. Additional support 

VI. Subtopic 5 

A. Supporting fact 1

B. Supporting fact 2

C. Supporting fact 3

D. Supporting fact 4

VII. Conclusion

A. Restate thesis 

B. Restate Subtopic 1

C. Restate Subtopic 2

D. Restate Subtopic 3

E. Restate Subtopic 4

F. Incorporate better sleep and exercise. 

Weight Loss Essay Outline Example

 

I. Introduction

A. The obesity epidemic.

B. The diet industry.

C. Diet and exercise, alone, are insufficient for many people to attain long- term weight loss. 

D. Other factors that could be considered impediments to weight loss. 

E. Developing a sustainable weight loss plan.

II. The scope of the obesity epidemic. 

A. Statistics about obesity worldwide.

B. Statistics about obesity in a specific area. 

C. Statistics about obesity in a target age, ethnic, or other group. 

D. Statistics showing that obesity is becoming more common. 

III. Why obesity is an epidemic. 

A. Though the simple cause-and-effect relationship between obesity and comorbidities has been called into question, the fact remains that obese people are more likely to experience early deaths. 

B. Reduced quality of life. 

C. Heart...

...

Joint problems.

E. Diabetes. 

F. Reduced mobility

G. Skin issues.

H. Heightened risk of some cancers.

I. Fertility issues. 

IV. Traditional diets and exercise are often ineffective. 

A. Medical professionals have approached weight as a simple calories-in/ calories-out model. 

B. Most overweight and obese people have been on multiple diets, but they do not result in long-term weight loss. 

C. People of the same size can require a vast range of calories to support basic metabolic activity. 

D. It is clear that other factors influence whether a person loses weight. 

E. Drastic calorie reductions can reduce metabolism.

F. Drastic exercise regimes can reduce metabolism.

V. Factors that could influence weight loss.

A. Diseases that make weight loss more difficult

1. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

2. Hypothyroidism

3. Depression/anxiety

B. Lack of sleep 

1. Correlation between lack of sleep and weight gain. 

2. Scientists are not certain about how this correlation works. 

C. Genetic predisposition

1. Different people may have different set-points for weight.

2. Some people may be healthy outside of the average healthy weight range. 

3. Muscle mass compared to fat mass can impact weight. 

4. People with different genetic backgrounds appear to thrive on different weight loss regimes. 

VI. Developing a sustainable weight-loss plan.

A. Rule out any complicating medical factors.

B. Focus on getting adequate sleep. 

C. Work with medical professionals to determine the best approach for your body.

D. Avoid fad approaches.

E. Incorporate reasonable exercise into your exercise regime.

F. Explore other alternatives, such as bariatric surgery, if sustained weight loss seems unattainable.

VII. Conclusion

A. Developing a sustainable weight loss plan can be challenging.

B. Avoid fad diets.

C. Work with a medical professional. 

D. Incorporate better sleep and exercise. 

E. Calories-in/calories out is rarely a successful stand-alone approach. 

Conclusion

 

There are many directions a person can take when writing an essay about weight loss.  You could choose to focus on a particular element of weight loss, about the diet and exercise industry, a personal narrative about a successful weight loss plan, or about the details of a particular weight loss plan.  In fact, because the topic is so broad, it can be difficult to narrow down a cohesive and concise topic to focus on in this area.  Writing an outline can help you determine whether your essay is going to stay on topic or veer off of the topic.  If you find that any of your supporting branches in your outline fail to support your thesis, you know not to develop that branch.  In our example, we intentionally provided an overview of the concept of diet and exercise in general to highlight some of the many directions you could take in an essay about weight loss.  If you chose to go any of those routes, you would simply expand further on each of the statements in the outline.