By Alana Gold, Registered Dietitian
Are you a yo-yo dieter? Does your weight continuously fluctuate up and down like a roller coaster? Have you been on every fad diet out there? If so, you are not alone. Millions of dieters have tried every weight loss plan on the market, managing to initially lose weight, only to gain it back and more. Weight loss is a billion-dollar industry fueled by our desire to lose weight fast.
With a father who has earned the yo-yo dieting championship title— a man who has tried it all and lost and gained it all back many times over—I have witnessed the impact yo-yo dieting can have on a person’s life. As a dietitian and health care provider, I feel it is my duty to raise awareness of the possible health risks posed by our desire to take the fast lane to weight loss. Heart disease, lack of adequate nutrition, emotional eating and slower metabolic rates are some of the many negative effects that may arise from yo-yo dieting. Test your yo-yo dieting knowledge to see if you know the ups and downs of weight cycling.
