by A recent qualitative study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University reveals the detrimental effects of yo-yo dieting, also known as weight cycling. This study emphasizes the toxicity of yo-yo dieting and the challenges individuals face in breaking the cycle.
Yo-yo dieting, a common practice in American culture, involves unintentionally gaining weight, followed by attempts to lose weight, only to regain it again, perpetuating a vicious cycle. The normalization of fad diets and “lose-weight-quick” plans or drugs contributes to the prevalence of yo-yo dieting as people strive to meet societal beauty standards.
The study, published in Qualitative Health Research, aimed to understand why and how individuals engage in yo-yo dieting and whether they were successful in breaking the cycle. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 36 adults, consisting of 13 men and 23 women, who had experienced weight cycling by losing and gaining more than 11 pounds.
The findings revealed that all participants expressed a desire to lose weight due to social stigma related to their weight or comparisons with celebrities or peers. Interestingly, health reasons were not a primary motivation for dieting among the participants.
The study participants adopted various weight-loss strategies, initially resulting in weight loss, but ultimately leading to weight regain. This weight regain caused feelings of shame and reinforced the internalization of weight-related stigma, ultimately worsening participants’ self-perception compared to before they started dieting. Consequently, individuals often resorted to extreme behaviors in an attempt to lose weight once again.
The participants engaged in disordered weight management behaviors such as binge or emotional eating, calorie restriction, fixation on calorie counts, stress related to food choices and weight, reliance on quick fixes like low-carb diets or diet drugs, excessive exercise, and avoiding social events involving food. However, these unsustainable diet behaviors only caused participants to regain even more weight than they had initially lost.
The study findings indicated that almost all participants developed an obsession with their weight, which consumed their lives. This obsession led to the neglect of social relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as a heightened susceptibility to weight gain temptations such as excessive drinking and overeating.
Based on these insights, the researchers recommend that most individuals should avoid dieting unless it is medically necessary. The study also serves as a call to action for individuals to challenge and break the cycle of yo-yo dieting by adopting sustainable and healthy habits instead.
In conclusion, this study sheds light on the negative interpersonal and psychological consequences associated with yo-yo dieting. It emphasizes the importance of reframing societal beauty ideals and promoting body positivity. By prioritizing sustainable and healthy habits over restrictive and temporary weight loss strategies, individuals can break free from the damaging cycle of yo-yo dieting and improve their overall well-being.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
