by Kat Dublin
Fad diets: culturally popular diets that deviate from the standard and often promise dramatic weight loss in a relatively short amount of time. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s because it is.
One of the most prevalent public health concerns in our world today is obesity. Large amounts of calories from fats and sugars, regular junk food intake, large food portions, fast food delivered to the doorstep, and lessened physical activity are just a few of the contributors to the increase in obesity in today’s world. The invention of apps that bring food to the door combined with the decreasing prices of food high in calories with little to no nutritional value have created a world in which eating unhealthily is the easiest and cheapest option. And so, many options have sprouted to combat
this major issue, a prominent one being fad diets.
Known for their effectiveness and brevity, fad diets have greatly increased in popularity over the past few decades. When executed correctly, these diets often do provide the results they promise such as drastic amounts of weight loss. However, for most, these results do not last long.
In a study on fad diets by the National Institute of Food Science and Technology, researchers found that most fad diets are not thoroughly studied enough to be proven effective and safe for the human body. Those that have been studied have been shown to have negative effects such as exponential weight gain after a significant amount of weight loss and an increase in stress hormones. This is a concept known as weight cycling, more commonly termed the “yo-yo effect.” The “yo-yo effect” is an issue with dieting in which a person initially loses weight, gains it back, and then the cycle repeats itself. This struggle can lead to a slowing of metabolism, an increased risk of many diseases, and a decline in mental health. Because fad diets have not been thoroughly studied, this “yo-yo effect” is a ramification of many.
One such fad diet is the Ketogenic diet, better known as the Keto diet. This diet involves significantly lowering the amount of carbohydrates one’s body consumes while replacing them with fats. In this way, your body burns fat for energy instead of carbs. Through this diet, one’s body becomes very efficient at burning fat for energy. The Ketogenic diet can also allow for significant reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels, which can be a health benefit for many. But, the restrictions placed on one during the Keto diet are unrealistic and unsustainable for most. While the diet works for a time, because of its unsustainability it is very difficult for most to keep the weight off after reverting back to regular eating. This can cause great amounts of weight gain after the diet ends. This is the “yo-yo effect” previously mentioned.
Another common solution to the weight loss struggle is Ozempic. Ozempic is a prescription injectable drug that is used to help treat type 2 diabetes in adults. This drug works by increasing insulin levels to lower blood sugar, decrease appetite, and make one feel fuller
after eating. The drug is meant to be used with a combination of diet and exercise to work to help one lose weight.
But, as with the Keto diet, Ozempic can cause major weight gain in many individuals. Ozempic can cause a slowing of the metabolism which can cause weight gain. Also, as soon as an individual stops taking Ozempic, regaining of their lost weight commonly follows.
All in all, fad diets are seemingly effective but ultimately short-lived solutions for weight loss. They work for a time but often result in the “yo-yo effect.” Ultimately, figuring out what works best for you in terms of diet, exercise, and lifestyle is an extensive process, but it is worth it in the long run.
Everyone is different, and therefore people have different dietary and nutritional needs. Do your own research, gain an understanding of how the foods you eat affect your body, and then choose the way you are going to eat.
