Yo-Yo Dieting Is Not as Bad as We Thought

It’s often said that weight cycling caused by yo-yo dieting is harmful to your health. Indeed, this possibility is often used as an excuse by dieters who know they’re likely to relapse soon, based on past experience, and so give up completely. Some of the anxiety about yo-yo dieting has been laid to rest by a new study reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers from different medical institutions in Boston, Massachusetts, conducted a study of 45,000 women who were enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study between 1974 and 1992, and survived until at least 1994. They provided information on their weight fluctuations due to dieting over the years. Those of them who had intentionally lost at least 9.1 k at least 3 times were classified as severe weight cyclers. Those who lost at least 4.5 k at least 3 times were classified as mild cyclers. The numbers of cardiovascular and all-cause deaths were recorded.

Weight cyclers were found to have gained more weight than non-cyclers. Over the 20 years, 19% of the women were mild weight cyclers, and 8% were severe cyclers. During 12 years of follow-up there were 2,884 deaths, 425 of which were cardiovascular. There was no increase in the risk of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in either severe or mild weight cyclers. So there you are - harmful effects of weight cycling (or yo-yo dieting) seem to be a myth. Though it may mean a drain on the wallet, keeping pace with clothing size changes.