Adolescents who go on diets to lose weight may be significantly increasing their odds of gaining weight, say researchers at the University of Minnesota.
The researchers studied results of Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) surveys, conducted in 1999 and 2000, and results of Project EAT II surveys, conducted in 2003 and 2004, to “understand the perplexing finding, that has been reported in several longitudinal studies, whereby dieting predicts greater weight gain over time in adolescents.”
According to information provided by more than 2,500 adolescents, dieting predicted increased binge eating and decreased breakfast consumption among girls, “with a nonsignificant trend toward decreased fruit and vegetable intake.” Among boys, dieting predicted “increased binge eating, decreased physical activity and a trend toward decreased breakfast consumption. These behaviors were also associated with increases in body mass index,” according to the researchers.
The researchers conclude that dieting may lead to weight gain among adolescents in part “via the long-term adoption of behavioral patterns that are counterproductive to weight management.”
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