Programs, pills and books that promise a magic solution for weight loss are everywhere. Fad diets continue to entice, but they often fail to deliver.
With their lack of education on healthy habits, diet and exercise programs provide only a short-term improvement and are often impossible to follow long-term.
In fact, people who follow weight loss programs lose approximately 10 per cent of their body weight only to regain two-thirds within a year and almost all of it within five years, according to research from the University of California.
Research carried out by Australian genetic interpretation company myDNA found that almost half (47 per cent) of diet attempts fail; while two thirds (63 per cent) gain weight when returning to normal eating behaviours, and one in three (38 per cent) Australians are in an unhealthy cycle of yo-yo dieting.
Chief Innovation Officer at myDNA Allan Sheffield says, “Our research confirmed the fact that fad diets are failing for as many as one in two Australians and with the majority of people admitting that they put the weight back after finishing the diet, it’s clear many are struggling with how best to balance their weight and overall fitness.”
According to Mr Sheffield, understanding more about how genetics can affect body size, weight and overall fitness is the key to finding the diet that is most likely to succeed for each individual.
How people respond to certain types of diets and exercise regimes “can transform the way we approach our diets and fitness regimes, reducing the risk of being overweight,” Mr Sheffield explains.
Have you ever tried a fad diet? Have you ever found one that worked? What do you think is the best way to lose weight and keep it off?
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Health disclaimer: This article contains general information about health issues and is not advice. For health advice, consult your medical practitioner.
