Weight loss can be termed as a diminution of a person’s body weight effected by either involuntary (disease or illness) or voluntary (exercise, diet) causes.  More often than not weight loss is due to the lessening or removal of adipose tissues (body fat) and the term fat loss is often understood as weight loss; however, weight loss can also be from loss of liver glycogen stores, fluid, glycogen stored or water stores, loss of protein and other non-fat materials in the body.

Weight loss stemming from fat removal or from lessening of fat is what most overweight people target and they try to achieve this through various ways.  These ways could be diet, exercise (aggressive and passive techniques), medications, physiotherapy, surgery (bariatric surgery, liposuction), yoga, acupuncture, spa and other types of approaches.

Some clear examples of involuntary weight loss can involve illnesses, conditions and habits like chronic inflammation, diarrhea, cancer, smoking, mouth braces, painful mouth sores, appetite loss, infection, hyperthyroidism, malnutrition or hunger, eating disorders, drug abuse and depression.

Voluntary weight loss, on the other hand, often involves the loss or lessening of body fat.  An overwhelming number of people utilizing voluntary weight loss techniques, programs or procedures are those in excess of their normal body weight.