Kerri WaldronA survey of 2,000 adults has discovered that as many as 31 per cent are actively trying to lose weight, but for 24 per cent, crash diets ‘never work’ as they quickly revert to old eating habits.
The study found that 35 per cent of Brits consider themselves ‘yo-yo dieters’, gaining weight back as soon as they lose it, with 37 per cent confessing that yo-yo dieting has negatively affected their health.
A spokesperson for Medicspot, the weight loss service that commissioned the research, said: “Finding a diet that is right for you and sticking to is not always easy.
“Yo-yo dieting is often a result of various dieting attempts, and this pattern can have several negative impacts on both physical and mental health.
“Common causes of this dieting method include restrictive dieting, unrealistic weight loss goals, lack of sustainable lifestyle changes, and psychological factors.”
The poll revealed that 47 per cent struggle to maintain a healthy diet full-time, while four in 10 lack confidence in their ability to keep a healthy weight without resorting to such methods.
It takes 21 per cent of adults between one and three months to maintain their weight goal, but 24 per cent are yet to achieve this. Furthermore, 42 per cent find it challenging to stick to a diet long-term, with unhealthy food cravings being the primary reason for this (68 per cent).
(Image: Getty Images)
The survey also showed that 55 per cent of respondents struggle with a lack of motivation, while 44 per cent succumb to stress or emotional eating. This lead to over half expressing frustration with their eating habits, and 55 per cent experiencing feeling guilty.
It highlighted that 34 per cent are unhappy with their current diet and food regime, and 60 per cent believe it’s important for them to lose weight. Interestingly, 22 per cent described their emotional relationship with food as unhealthy.
In an attempt to stick to a diet, 24 per cent often resort to meal planning, with the same percentage relying on meal preparation. However, only 18 per cent have sought advice from a healthcare professional on dieting and weight loss, and of these, 68 per cent found it beneficial.
For those who have tried to lose weight, improving overall health was the main motivation, with aesthetics, mental well-being, and social pressure also listed as key factors.
A spokesperson for Medicspot weight loss commented: “Yo-yo dieting can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. However, there are ways to avoid the cycle of yo-yo dieting and promote long-term health and well-being.
“These can include adopting a sustainable and balanced approach to weight management, setting realistic goals, incorporating regular physical activity, practising mindful eating, and seeking support.”
Source: bing.com
