CONSEQUENCES OF DIETING TO LOSE WEIGHT - EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL-HEALTH

Concern has been raised that negative physiological and psychological effects of dieting may outweigh aesthetic and health benefits. This re view of the literature concludes the following: (a) The measurement of dieting is an important unresolved issue; (b) current dieting, chroni c dieting, desire to lose weight, specific weight control behaviors, a nd 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 re actions, or the development of eating disorders; and (d) recommendatio ns against weight loss efforts involving moderate changes in eating an d exercise habits are not warranted.