Stop the Dieting Madness

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In a recent published article “Long-Term Effects of 4 Popular Diets on Weight Loss and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials” in Circulation Cardiovascular Quality of Outcomes, the authors aimed to examine the efficacy of 3 popular book-based macronutrient focused diets and 1 commercialized calorie restrictive program.  These diets included Atkins, South Beach, Zone, and Weight Watchers.  Although these diets obviously produce short-term weight loss, the long term affects of these diets (>12 months) have yet to be determined, which is why this study was completed.  The results found that although all 4 diets provided significant weight loss short term, the benefits were not long lasting and often resulted in weight regain.

In response to the article, Dr. David Katz responded in an editorial where he compares these types of diets and the people who follow them as beauty pageants.  He states, “What ensues is seemingly never-ending, beauty pageant of dietary contestants, each emphasizing what differentiates it from others and each contending to be the best.  And along with each diets come its entourage, singing its praises, disparaging the competition, and seeking the profits that come with wearing the tiara.”

As RD’s to be, we are aware the millions of dollars devoted to the weight loss industry each year and the various diets that promising these amazing results.  We also know that these fad diets are counterproductive in achieving long-term weight maintenance.  We need to be ready when our client or patient claims to have found the diet that will get them to their “perfect body.”  Knowing that, maybe instead we need to focus on educating on developing a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.  Maybe we need to teach them to stop eating when they are full, how to choose healthy foods to feel better, how to allow for indulges, and how eat a wide variety of foods.   


-DH
 
Atallah, R., Filion, K.B., Wakil, S.M., Genest, J., Joseph, L., Poirier, P.,..Eisenberg, M.J. (2014). Long-term effects of 4 popular diets on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.  Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. Retrieved from http://circoutcomes.ahajournals.org/content/early/2014/11/11/CIRCOUTCOMES.113.000723.full.pdf+html 
Katz, D. “Diets, Diatribes, and a Dearth of Data.” Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 11 Nov 2014. Editorial.

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-katz-md/best-diet-look-beyond-the_b_6151784.html

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