Researchers Conclude Diets Don't Work

In a review of 31 weight loss studies ranging from 2-5 years researchers at UCLA concluded that dieting does not work. The study will be published in the April issue of the American Psychologist. Initially dieters may lose 5-10% of body weight in the first 6 months but most regain that weight and the majority of dieters add more over the next 4-5 years. In fact, most of the dieters would have been better off not undergoing the wear and tear on the body from losing weight. In one study of healthy live styles of 19,000 men one of the best predictors of weight gain over the 4 years of the study was whether one had lost weight by dieting. More research is needed on the effects of weight loss but preliminary results show that losing and regaining weight may contribute to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and altered immune function. If you want to lose weight you need to change your lifestyle, eat healthy foods in moderation, and exercise.