Yo-yo dieting 'damages self-esteem'

Monday, 23 May 2011 8:59 AM

Faddy diets can lead to a cycle of yo-yo weight gain and loss that can be damaging to your confidence and self-esteem, experts warn.

New figures from Slimming World show a poll found more than one in five women (21%) have been on at least five diets and regained weight and 6% have been on at least 20 diets without keeping the pounds off.

This month's European Obesity Day is using the theme ‘stop yo-yo’ to raise awareness of “the dangerous cycle of repeated loss and regain of body weight and its dramatic effects on mental and physical health”.

Faddy diets that have proved popular in recent years include low-carb plans or meals including tiny portions, even baby food!

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s Head of Nutrition and Research, said: “These diets can rarely be kept up in the long term as hunger, feelings of deprivation or other possible side effects force people who follow them to give up and go back to their old way of eating, causing them to put any weight they lost back on again.”

Yo-yo dieting can be caused by food treats

Food rewards 'lead to yo-yo and extreme diets'

If you were given high fat foods as treats as a child, you are more likely to diet as an adult. A survey found people who were rewarded with food as children were also significantly more likely to have a history of dieting - 34% compared to 25%.

 Weight is just one lifestyle risk factor

Yo-yo dieting 'more dangerous than a little extra weight'

Years of yo-yo dieting puts a strain on the body and some experts believe carrying a little extra weight is actually safer than periods of weight gain and rapid weight loss - despite the health problems associated with even moderate obesity levels.
New discovery could help keep pounds off

Cause of 'yo-yo' diet effect explained

Experts have uncovered a 'useful dietary weapon' which could help tailor more successful weight-loss programmes. Authors of a new report claim their discovery explains why some people quickly regain weight after dieting, known as the 'yo-yo' effect.

Slimming clubs provide diet support and advice

Average 5.5% weight loss in 12 weeks at Slimming World

Slimming World's Referral programme has welcomed its 100,000th member - as a survey finds people who stick to at least 10 weeks of the 12 week programme lose on average 5.5% of their weight. Research published in the BMJ praises slimming clubs.
Slimming World groups discussed junk food tax

Junk food tax gets slimmers' support

Fast food should be taxed like cigarettes and alcohol, say campaigners. A poll for Slimming World of around 1,000 members found that the majority would support a junk food tax if the money raised was used to subsidise the cost of healthy foods.

 A restaurant salad may contain hidden calories

Beware the unhealthy salad

Are you on a permanent diet and prone to skip straight to the 'salad' section of any restaurant menu? Experts are warning once again that salads are often more calorific than other food choices, while confusing labelling can derail your diet.
Cut calories at lunchtime for healthy dieting

Lighter lunches all you need for weight loss

What are you having for lunch? Rather than going on a diet, small adjustments to your lunchtime calorie intake could lead to a healthy 1-2 pounds a week weight loss. Generally, you need to cut calorie intake by 3,500 calories per week to use a pound.

 Dairy essential for bone health

Up dairy and protein to repair bones while dieting

Overweight young women who ate dairy and high protein foods improved their bone density in a new study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism report studied effects of dairy, calcium, protein and exercise on bones during weight loss.

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The study commissioned by diet aid manufacturer Slimsticks, also discovered that a worrying one in five people have followed an ‘eating is cheating’ starvation diet and one in ten have tried a liquid diet.

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