Adverse Effects Associated With Weight Loss

The harmful effects associated with weight loss depend, among other things, on the means used, whether or not the lost weight is maintained, the percentage of weight lost over a given period, the speed of the weight lost, the frequency of weight loss attempts. , the state of health of the person and their physiological characteristics. These adverse effects are mostly iatrogenic (caused by the treatment). Adverse effects associated with any weight loss process include constipation or diarrhea, low blood pressure, headache, fatigue and dizziness.

More serious consequences have also been associated with weight loss, such as cardiac arrhythmia, electrolyte imbalances (Gregg & Williamson, 2002), gallstone formation, and loss of bone mass, often associated with osteoporosis.

Effects of Repeated Weight Loss Attempts

Prospective studies in adolescent girls and in an adult population have demonstrated the responsibility of weight loss attempts for long-term weight gain. Contact to Best Dietician in Delhi.

The study demonstrates, among other things, that middle-aged women who had made weight loss attempts had a significantly higher risk of long-term weight gain compared to those who had not. It also reveals, in women initially of normal weight, an increased risk of presenting pathologies associated with obesity and excess weight. This phenomenon seems to be particularly marked among those who began to follow diets during adolescence (Field et al., 2003; Stice et al., 1999). This effect could be associated with a decrease in basal metabolic rate which may promote weight gain or impair weight loss.

It also turns out that repeated diets increase cognitive food restriction5 and food disinhibition6 , two predictors of weight regain

In both obese and normal-weight individuals, a positive link has been demonstrated between repeated attempts at dietary restriction and the onset of eating disorders (Polivy, 1996; Polivy and Herman, 1985). This consequence is particularly important in adolescent boys and girls

Effects of cyclic variations in weight

Cyclical variations in weight (or “yo-yo” syndrome), resulting from repeated efforts to lose weight, have been associated with certain negative effects such as regaining weight leading to obesity (Kroke et al., 2002) , reduced effectiveness of subsequent weight loss attempts, changes in basal metabolic rate, and changes in body composition. However, the health effects of cyclic weight variations have unknowns and the results of studies remain contradictory. Shivani is Best Dietician in India.

For example, for arterial hypertension, the results of a prospective cohort study (Field et al., 1999) suggest that cyclic weight variations would not have an independent effect on blood pressure. Conversely, Guagnano et al. (1999) demonstrated that women with android obesity (located in the abdomen) who had cyclic weight changes had higher blood pressure than those without a history of weight loss. .

Effects of repeated weight loss failures

According to Linde et al. (2004), negative emotional states and depression are common among obese people undergoing weight loss treatment and predict mixed treatment outcomes. However, it has not been clearly demonstrated that depression is associated with weight regain (Wadden and Osei, 2002). Various studies have also demonstrated psychosocial effects, in particular a decrease in self-esteem, self-confidence and body satisfaction following repeated failures of attempts to lose weight

Pursuing an unrealistic weight loss goal is a disincentive and discouraging factor in weight control (Cooper & Fairburn, 2001). However, certain studies (Jeffery, Wing and Mayer, 1998; Foster et al., 1997) indicate that the weight loss objective pursued by clients was of the order of 20% to 30% of the initial weight, which is unrealistic both metabolically and behaviorally

Expectations regarding the expected effects of weight loss are also too high.

Indeed, in addition to aesthetic and health reasons, weight loss can target other important objectives for people such as improving self-confidence, the power of seduction and the ability to assert oneself. Achieving the desired weight does not always meet these expectations. Failure to obtain the expected benefits is another reason that may contribute to the abandonment of the behavioral modifications necessary to maintain the weight goal (National Institutes of Health, 1998). This can create a feeling of dissatisfaction. Studies show that women who are dissatisfied with the results of their treatment will experience more guilt and a sense of failure.

In conclusion, repeated attempts to lose weight can harm health by creating eating behavior disorders (disinhibition, cognitive restriction) and weight gain. The resulting cyclical variations in weight, however, seem to have variable effects on health. Nevertheless, it is currently not possible, according to Atkinson and Stern (1998), to rule out potentially harmful effects. Certain subgroups of people may be more affected depending on their initial weight, sex and state of health. Contact the Best Dietician in Gurgaon.

Moreover, it is difficult to conclude definitively on the question of the short or long-term consequences of cyclic variations in weight without further research having been carried out (Yang et al., 2003; Atkinson and Stern, 1998). Finally, according to some reports and studies, repeated weight loss failures seem to cause several adverse psychological effects. However, more studies are needed to better understand these effects. Call: 088003 39577