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Weight Loss Diets don't work. Earlier this year (2007) a
study conducted by US Scientists concludes that dieting does not work. This
is only the best case. The worst scenario is that repeated dieting can make
you fatter and even severely harm your health.
In this comprehensive review of dieting research, the undisputable
conclusion is that dieting does not work. The study was administrated by
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and published in the April
edition of the journal of the American Psychological Association. It reviews
31 long-term studies of weight loss dieting and each study covers a time
span of two to five years.
Here is what they found:
Initially, the majority of the participants lost five to ten percent of
their body weight no matter which diet. After the diet is finished then the
weight comes back.
The majority of the participants in the studies regained all the weight.
What is even more serious is that many of the studies showed that people
gained weight consistently. The weight gain was so typical that the
scientist found dieting to be an indicator of future gain in weight. This
means that the majority of the people on diet put all the weight back on
shortly after dieting and even more in a long term perspective.
A very tiny percentage of the study participants were able to sustain weight
loss over time.
What this means actually, is that the vast majority of participants would
have been better if they had not been dieting at all. To be more specific
the average weight loss was five to ten percent the first six months.
However, between one third and two thirds of them regained more than they
lost within four to five years.
If this study is representative for the weight loss universe, the obvious
conclusion is that the advantages of dieting are too small and the potential
health risks are too large to recommend dieting as an effective treatment
for overweight.
The Health Harms Of Repeated Dieting
Repeated weight loss and following regain are not good for our health at
all. Among the more serious health risks are
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reduced immune function
diabetes
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cardiovascular diseases
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stroke
So, What Works?
Exercise seems to be the key factor needed for a sustained and healthy
weight loss. The studies found a very consistent connection between workout
and weight loss, which means the participants who exercised most also lost
the most weight. So the conclusion is clear: exercise more and diet less.
Weight Loss Diets don't work.
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