The Problem With Diets
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People who "go on a diet" eventually go off it and regain the weight, and dieting may actually worsen obesity over time.
Detail
The biggest problem with dieting is that people who "go on a diet" eventually go off the diet and regain any weight they have lost. Some studies show that only a very small percentage of dieters maintain their target weight over a year, regardless of the type of diet followed.
Some people claim dieting can actually worsen obesity. The typical scenario: an overweight person begins a low-calorie diet and loses several pounds. After a few weeks the dieter may reach a plateau where no weight loss occurs. Soon overwhelmed with cravings, the dieter splurges (e.g. on a piece of pie), gains a pound or two, and then "goes off" the diet in despair. This pattern feeds into weight cycling (see Weight Cycling (Yo-Yo Dieting)).
Key facts
- Dieters tend to go off the diet and regain lost weight.
- Only a very small percentage maintain target weight over a year, regardless of diet type.
- Dieting may worsen obesity in some people.
- Typical failure path: initial loss → plateau → cravings → splurge → quitting in despair.
Connections
- Weight Cycling (Yo-Yo Dieting) — the loss-and-regain cycle this produces.
- Changing Ideas About Food, Fat and Fitness — the alternative to dieting.
- Psychological Effects of Deprivation — the emotional drivers of diet failure.
Sources
See how this applies in practice, with honest limits on what the plan changes.
Educational content only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for individualized guidance, especially around injury, pregnancy, or medical conditions.