Dieting and the development of eating disorders in overweight and obese adults

We reviewed articles evaluating the relations among dieting, weight loss tr eatment, weight cycling, eating disorders, and psychological functioning in overweight and obese adults. Moderate caloric (energy) restriction, in com bination with behavioral weight loss treatment, does not seem to cause clin ically significant binge eating in overweight adults without preexisting bi nge eating problems and might ameliorate binge eating, at least in the shor t term, in those reporting recurrent binge eating before treatment. Most st udies of behavioral weight loss interventions report improvements in psycho logical status during weight loss. However, these improvements might return to baseline with weight regain. Weight cycling does not seem to be associa ted with clinically significant psychopathologic conditions, although resul ts of cross-sectional studies show an association between weight cycling an d binge eating, as well as poorer perceived health status. "Nondieting" app roaches seem to lead to improvements in mood and self-esteem; however, weig ht loss is generally minimal. Concerns that dieting induces eating disorder s or other psychological dysfunction in overweight and obese adults are gen erally not supported by empirical studies. Such concerns should not preclud e attempts to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity to achie ve modest weight loss or prevent additional weight gain.