dieting

Question 1

dieting as a risk for weight gain

Answer 1

Pelissier et al., 2023: Systematic review of 18 studies
* Of eight intervention studies: 75% reported metabolic adaptations in response to weight loss that favoured weight regain.
* Observational studies: 80% of studies found that dieters have a higher body
weight than non-dieters.
* Differences in definitions of ‘diet’ and heterogeneity in methods used to assess
dieting status.
* Dieting potentially a major risk factor for weight gain in the longer term among
normal weight individuals

Question 2

what affects dieting

Answer 2

set point theory-
* Types of diet
* Importance of physical activity for energy balance
* Set point theory (Harris, 1990)
▫ Genetics play an important role in determining weight.
Small modifications through behavioural change.
▫ Body ‘defends’ set point.
▫ Should weight loss be encouraged through dietary
restriction?

Question 3

psychological effects of dieting- ER

Answer 3

Warren and cooper 1988-
Seven men and seven women, all of normal weight, were assessed by means of daily visual analogue scales for a two-week baseline period and for two weeks during which they were placed on a calorie-restricted diet. There were no significant changes in mood and no sex differences. Compared with the baseline, during the diet there were significant changes in their cognitions concerning eating: subjects were more preoccupied with thoughts about food, had strong urges to eat more frequently and were more likely to feel out of control of their eating

Question 4

body dissatification:

Answer 4

Stice & Shaw (2002)
* Perceived pressure to be thin, thin-ideal internalisation and
elevated body mass linked to body dissatisfaction
* Dieting and negative affect mediating variables

Question 5

motives for weight loss

Answer 5

• O’Brien et al., (2007).
  ▫ Appearance; Health; Mood
• Motivations for weight loss may impact on subsequent
  success of dietary intervention e.g., Ogden, Karim,
  Choudry & Brown (2007).
  ▫ Positive intentions and less positive attitudes towards
  target foods associated with greater success in dieting.
• Low motivation, self-esteem, increased body
  dissatisfaction & increased dieting attempts associated
  with reduced success (Teixeira et al., 2002)

Question 6

seasonality of dieting

Answer 6

Griffiths et al., 2022)
people diet in spring compared to winter- for ‘summer bodies’

could explain why weight is often put back on, weight loss is often advertised for this summer bod

Question 7

alternate findings- ER

Answer 7

Meule 2020- A review!
notion that dieting increases food cravings - However, this notion is often based on cross-sectional findings and, thus, the causal role of food deprivation on food cravings is unclear.

While short-term, selective food deprivation may indeed increase food cravings, long-term energy restriction seems to decrease food cravings, suggesting that food deprivation can also facilitate extinction of conditioned food craving responses.