There are conflicting views on the value of weight-loss diets. Some believe that if individuals have enough willpower to stick with a diet, they can lose an unlimited amount of weight. Others believe that weight loss attempts are rarely successful and weight regain invariably occurs.
There are many questions to ask when evaluating “does dieting work?”
- Do dieters continue to lose weight?
- Does some of the lost weight return?
- Do some dieters gain back more weight than they lost?
In one study, women participating in a weight-loss program reported their goal weight as an average 32% reduction in body weight. After 48 weeks of treatment and an average loss of 35 lbs., 47% of women did not achieve weight loss they associated with success. Thus, what are achievable goals?
What is occurring in the USA?
In the USA, obesity has increased dramatically. The number of adults trying to lose weight by dieting and the amount of money spent on weight-loss has also increased. Using the most recent data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS], more than one-third of U.S. adults (34.9%) were obese in 2011 to 2012. Approximately half of all adults are trying to control weight, with about one-third of men and nearly one-half of women trying to lose weight. Additionally, we spend approximately $50 billion per year on weight-loss efforts.