Scientists Urge People To Think Twice Before Going on a Diet

A recent qualitative research emphasizes the adverse psychological and interpersonal effects linked to “yo-yo dieting,” or weight cycling. The study sheds light on the harmful nature of yo-yo dieting and the challenges individuals face in escaping this cycle.

“Yo-yo dieting – unintentionally gaining weight and dieting to lose weight only to gain it back and restart the cycle – is a prevalent part of American culture, with fad diets and lose-weight-quick plans or drugs normalized as people pursue beauty ideals,” says Lynsey Romo, corresponding author of a paper on the study and an associate professor of communication at North Carolina State University.

“Based on what we learned through this study, as well as the existing research, we recommend that most people avoid dieting, unless it is medically necessary. Our study also offers insights into how people can combat insidious aspects of weight cycling and challenge the cycle.”