title: Consequences of dieting to lose weight: effects on physical and mental health.
abstract: Concern has been raised that negative physiological and psychological effects of dieting may outweigh aesthetic and health benefits. This review of the literature concludes the following: (a) The measurement of dieting is an important unresolved issue; (b) current dieting, chronic dieting, desire to lose weight, specific weight control behaviors, and weight changes may have different effects on health and need to be distinguished; (c) dieting is usually not associated with nutritional deficiencies, adverse physiologic adaptations, severe psychological reactions, or the development of eating disorders; and (d) recommendations against weight loss efforts involving moderate changes in eating and exercise habits are not warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454-1015.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Jeffery
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D015431:Weight Loss