Dangers of yo-yo dieting
Published: 10 June 2005
NEW RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS THE DANGERS OF YO-YO DIETING SAY "NO-NO" TO YO-YO DIETING
Crash dieters risk serious health problems. More than two million women in the UK (1) are putting their heart health, bonehealth and immune systems at risk with yo-yo and fad dieting, according to a new report by Dr John Stanley of Oxford University. The new report highlightsthat many yo-yo dieters are unaware of the damaging effects on their bodies and minds (2).
Dr John Stanley said: "The review highlights a range of serious and long term health problems including adverse affects on body composition, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and loss of bone density leading to bone fracture.
Additional problems such as binge eating, depression and emotional problems mean that it is imperative women are aware of these risks so they can make an informed decision about their health." The research, which was done by Dr Stanley for the UK Cereals and Grain Industry is being supported by TV favourite Lorraine Kelly to promote low fat healthy balanced eating as the key to successful weight loss. The campaign will incorporate the Vitality Eating System, a seven-day eating plan which is flexible and practical resulting in achievable and realistic weight loss.
Lorraine said: "You can't rely on faddy diets, quick fixes and yo-yo dieting to control your weight. Believe me I have tried them all, only to end up putting weight back on. Eating a nutritionally balanced low fat diet, containing starchy carbohydrates, like read, pasta and cereals, rich in fruit and vegetables and coupled with exercise - is the only way to keep in shape."
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Notes to editors:
This is a joint project between the Flour Advisory Bureau (www.fabflour.co.uk), The Federation of Bakers (www.bakersfederation.org.uk) and the Grain Information Service www.graininformationservice.co.uk). For further information, or to obtain a copy of he VITALITY EATING SYSTEM please contact: The Flour Advisory Bureau on 020 7493 2521
1. 18% of population (2 million people) currently claim to be on
crash type, faddy yo-yo diets.
Source: Tickbox Omnibus Survey, May 2005.
2. The review was researched and written by Dr John Stanley PhD. After obtaining a B.A. and D. Phil. in Biochemistry at Oxford University he carried out postdoctoral research at Oxford and Manchester Universities where he lectured in Metabolism and Nutrition. He has worked for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Nutrition, Diet and Health Department at the Institute of Food Research. He was appointed Lecturer in Biochemistry at Trinity College, Oxford in October 1995, a post he has held ever since. He has also been recently appointed by the Food Standards Agency.
3. The findings were launched with the assistance of top health
experts including nutritionists, dieticians, GPs, and health
writers specialising in the area of weight loss. The event brought
together the media and health experts to discuss the issue,
highlight the health dangers, unravel some of the complicated
messages about weight loss and ensure factual and
balanced editorial.
4. The last time the dangers of yo-yo dieting were scientifically reviewed was at the National Task Force on the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity (1994). Weight cycling. Journal of the American Medical Association 272: 1196-1202.
5. Digital images of Lorraine Kelly can be downloaded direct from the FAB website: www.fabflour.co.uk
6. The VITALITY EATING SYSTEM is an eating plan for life as it is low in fat and based on a healthy balanced diet. Easy to follow and flexible, the plan will prevent you from missing out on important nutrients. Weight loss will be slow and steady but research demonstrates that consumers are more likely to keep the weight off! The plan provides an image led approach that consumers can aspire to whilst providing consistent, accurate and proven information based on sound science. Copies can be downloaded from: www.fabflour.co.uk
