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With 69% of adults being overweight and 35% obese, as well 20.5of teenagers being obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,2013), it is no wonder that millions of people every year are looking to lose weight. Unfortunately, most people tend to look for a “fast and dirty” way to lose those extra pounds. Even though, in most cases, it took years to put on all those extra pounds, most people want to take them off in a matter of weeks or a few months. This goal leads many individuals to seek out “fad” diets, which advertise quick weight loss without much effort. Although many people lose a significant amount of weight quickly on these types of diets, research has clearly shown that after about a year most people have gained back the weight and then some. Therefore, most doctors, researchers, and reputable institutions/hospitals recommend that trying to lose about two pounds per week is a safe and reasonable goal. As the old saying goes, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
Signs of a fad diet
- Promises a quick fix
- Is based on a single study or testimonials
- Tries to sell you a product
- Makes dramatic statements that scientific groups reject
- Eliminates one or more food groups
- Is based on studies that independent experts have not reviewed
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Prevalence of Obesity in the
United States, 2009–2010.” 2012
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Prevalence of Obesity in the
United States, 2009–2010.” 2012
