[csa]

While I like and agree with a lot of your comments, I think it's a bit of an accurate-but-myopic look at the issue.

Most/all of these weight loss programs usually seem to target the byproduct of the problem (being overweight) rather than the actual problem (an unhealthy relationship with calories).

While I have not seen any studies on people who have made "lifestyle changes", my personal anecdata suggests that this type of weight loss is sustainable at a fairly decent yield (not 100%, but not 0.2% either).

I realize that well-done studies like this will be hard to execute, but I hope they get done. In the meantime, I hope that people suggest seeking a lifestyle change (likely including doctors, nutritionists, and psychologists) before they do something drastic like getting gastric bypass surgery.