failure on a grand scale: caloric restriction to lose fat

[belenen]

Content note / trigger warning: eating disorders, restriction dieting, weight loss, fatness

Restriction dieting is an utter failure and we need to stop.

Failure #1: it does not reduce weight/fat significantly
Caloric restriction fails to create significant weight loss for most people and we have known this since the 50s. Numbers vary but most

Comments

[negativecon]

The term "intermittent fasting" infuriates me to no end. Like I need to not start talking about it or I won't stop.

I wish people would take this to heart. It's devastating how many think my value is inversely connected to my weight.

[belenen]

ugh I feel you! every time I hear that phrase I want to scream.

THANK YOU YES

[topaznebula]

What a fantastic, concise, and perfectly summarized collection of sources, outlining the failure of restriction dieting. THANK YOU

"Not having enough food is psychological torture and has lasting effects on your mental health, and it will change your relationship to eating."

"Even if you experience short-term weight loss, 'one third to two thirds of dieters regain MORE weight than they lost on their diets'"

"So far we have discovered at least 8 genes that predict fatness. Twin studies show that genetics have more impact on weight than home environment."

"Restriction dieting (including that trendy euphemism "intermittent fasting") hurts you and does not result in permanent weight loss. It is a catastrophic failure and then some."

Re: THANK YOU YES

[belenen]

glad you appreciated it!

Re: THANK YOU YES

[negativecon]

Agreed with Topaz, this is actually very helpful, as it can be a resource for when I need to link people to truths about fatness and weight loss.

[karmasoup]

This is very useful for our family right now because my husband's cardiologist just prescribed this intermittent fasting diet, and is suggesting he lose a ridiculous amount of weight rapidly. He's carry maybe 35 extra pounds, total. She wants him to take it off in 30 days. I want him to get a new doctor. I don't understand how an intelligent person who's supposed to know so much about the heart seems to be clueless about the strain that would put on his heart.

[belenen]

wow, the level of malpractice there is horrific. That is such a horrible idea on so many levels!

[millysdaughter]

That screams malpractice to me - get a second opinion!

[marlawentmad]

Yikes.

[belenen]

??

[negativecon]

I'm confused (forgive me if this would be obvious to others, I'm autistic and struggle interpreting tone, meaning, etc.): Is this "Yikes" meant as "Yikes, I had no idea restriction dieting was so dangerous" or "Yikes, don't defend fat people, they should starve themselves"?

[ryl]

I just finished reading In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, which is about the real-life whaleship wreck that inspired Moby-Dick. There are several chapters describing how the crew's health declined as they floated across the Pacific in their boats trying to reach South America. Starvation did terrible things to them, and the survivors had it worse than the ones who died on the way.

It also explained why I felt so wretched when I did a severe calorie-restricted diet eleven or twelve years ago. Sure, I lost 70 lbs, but I was obsessed with what I ate--it was all I thought about. After, I gained 20 lbs right back but I'm better off mentally. My body wants to be chunky and I'm gonna let it be.