The detrimental effects of weight cycling

All the facts and possiblities about the effects of weight cycling based on research.

Weight cycling, or yo-yo dieting as it is also known, is the repeated body weight loss and regain, in several small or bigger cycles. It is a pattern that has been observed in many adults and adolescents, mostly women, ever since weight loss diets first appeared. After any weight loss diet, weight regain is unfortunately the general rule with almost all of the weight lost being regained within 5 years. Also, at least one third of the dieters regain more weight than they lost. The above facts, together with an obesogenic environment that is common in today’s societies, put people in a continuous cycle of endlessly trying to decrease their weight.

Numerous studies have tried to discover any possible connections between the occurrence of weight cycling and negative effects on physical health. There are several research data that support the following possible effects of weight cycling.

Effects of weight cycling on physical health

It might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.
It could be associated with a greater risk for all-cause morbidity and mortality.
It could cause a decrease in glucose tolerance, increasing the relative risk of developing diabetes and other chronic diseases.
It is associated with an increased risk of hypertension.
It may cause a gradual increase in triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
It could be related to an increased risk of hip fracture.
It may cause a redistribution of body fat to the upper body.
It might result in bigger fat accumulation over the years, especially to the abdominal area. This visceral fat is known to increase the risk for cardiovascular disease.

The detrimental effects of weight cycling | offadiet.com

It should be stressed that until recently, most of the results were inconclusive and that further research is needed to extract safe conclusions. However, in March 2022, a large-scale study with data from 6 million participants associated weight cycling with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and adverse health outcomes, an association that was stronger in individuals with normal Body Mass Index, females and older individuals. Researchers conclude that these people should be informed about the potential risk of weight cycling.

Another important thing that must be noted is that the above risks do not always outweigh the benefits of weight loss, especially in patients with obesity or morbidity. In any other case, we should also consider the effects of weight cycling on psychological and emotional health. The research on these effects is more conclusive and they prove an association between weight cycling and the following.

Effects of weight cycling on mental and emotional health

Cycle dieters become more prone to binge eating or disordered eating behaviour.
The repeated experiences of failure and self-accusations of blame cause a huge negative emotional response which increases the risk of psychopathology.
It is largely associated with life dissatisfaction, decreased perceptions of well-being and decreased quality of life.
Cycle dieters could have a poor self-perception of health, resulting to more frequent visits to the doctor and increased levels of health-related stress.
In some people, failure to maintain weight may result in higher levels of stress and health-compromising behaviors like increased alcohol intake.
The person’s perception of being a weight cycler negatively affects their psychological well-being, irrelevant of weight or times of successful or unsuccessful attempts at dieting.
Weight cycling may be implicated in other psychological disorders like anxiety and depression.

In any case, when weight loss is strongly advised and there is a history of weight cycling, the risks and benefits should be taken into consideration and evaluated by health professionals in collaboration – eg. physician, psychologist, dietitian – always taking into account the personalized needs and preferences of the individual.