Diets a risk factor for later weight gain

LOS ANGELES, April 4 (UPI) -- A U.S. review of 31 studies on dieting confirmed what most dieters already know: the weight -- and then some -- usually comes back.

Lead author Traci Mann, a University of California associate professor of psychology, analyzed every study available that followed people on diets for two to five years.

The analysis in the American Psychologist found most of the dieters would have been better off not going on the diet at all. Their weight would be pretty much the same, and their bodies would not suffer the wear and tear from losing weight and gaining it all back.

In fact, several studies found dieting is a consistent predictor of future weight gain -- one study discovered both men and women who participated in formal weight-loss programs gained much more weight over a two-year period than those who had not participated in a weight-loss program.

So what should the overweight do?

"Eating in moderation is a good idea for everybody, and so is regular exercise," Mann said in a statement.

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