Consequences of dieting to lose weight: Effects on physical and mental health.

Abstract

Concern has been raised that negative physiological and psychological effects of dieting may outweigh aesthetic and health benefits. This review of the literature concludes the following: (a) The measurement of dieting is an important unresolved issue; (b) current dieting, chronic dieting, desire to lose weight, specific weight control behaviors, and weight changes may have different effects on health and need to be distinguished; (c) dieting is usually not associated with nutritional deficiencies, adverse physiologic adaptations, severe psychological reactions, or the development of eating disorders; and (d) recommendations against weight loss efforts involving moderate changes in eating and exercise habits are not warranted.

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2. Medicare's search for effective obesity treatments: Diets are not the answer.
   Mann, Traci, Tomiyama, A. Janet, Westling, Erika, Lew, Ann-Marie, Samuels, Barbra, Chatman, Jason · 2007 · American Psychologist
3. Long-term maintenance of weight loss: Current status.
   Jeffery, Robert W., Epstein, Leonard H., Wilson, G. Terence, Drewnowski, Adam, Stunkard, Albert J., Wing, Rena R. · 2000 · Health Psychology
4. Attitudes to Food and the Role of Food in Life in the U.S.A., Japan, Flemish Belgium and France: Possible Implications for the Diet–Health Debate
   ROZIN, P, FISCHLER, C, IMADA, S, SARUBIN, A, WRZESNIEWSKI, A · 1999 · Appetite
5. Relation Between Dieting and Weight Change Among Preadolescents and Adolescents
   Field, Alison E., Austin, S. B., Taylor, C. B., Malspeis, Susan, Rosner, Bernard, Rockett, Helaine R., Gillman, Matthew W., Colditz, Graham A. · 2003 · Pediatrics

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