continues in this area. Researchers have also found
that the number of natural killer (NK) cells in the
immune system tends to be lower in people who yo-
yo diet. NK cells are a type of white blood cell that kills
abnormal body cells (e.g.cancercells) and cells that
have been infected by viruses. The health implications
of this are under review. Researchers also know that
people who maintain a healthy weight have fewer
cardiovascular problems than people whose weight
goes up and down. However, so many factors differ
between people who maintain a healthy weight and
those who weight cycle that no clear conclusions can
be drawn from this. The one thing is clea: none of these
findings should discourage overweight and obese peo-
ple from trying to lose weight. The documented health
risks of being overweight/obese, such as an increased
risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart attack, high
blood pressure, fatty liver disease, arthritis, and sleep
apnea, and certain cancers, far exceed any potential
health risks from weight cycling.
Research on weight cycling and weight mainte-
nance is going on at many institutions. Individuals
interested in participating in a clinical trial at no cost
can find a list of research projects currently enrolling
volunteers athttp://www.clinicaltrials.gov. At the
site, search under ‘‘weight maintenance.’’
Nutrition/Dietetic concerns
Nutritional and dietetic concerns related to weight
cycling are the same as those related to dieting and
obesity in general. A nutritionist or dietitian can help
plan a healthy weight-loss program and a weight
maintenance program that will reduce weight cycling.
Prognosis
Most people who lose weight gain it back. A sig-
nificant number of people gain back more than they
lost. This can be make the individual feel like a failure
and give her an excuse to stop trying to lose weight.
Even modest weight loss has health benefits. Although
weight loss relapses are common, losing weight, even if
it returns, is healthier than not losing it, so long as the
individual follows a balanced weight-loss program.
Prevention
Studies have found that people who successfully
maintain their weight loss and do not weight cycle are
those who are prepared to make changes in their life-
style. One study found that whether dieters lost weight
using a liquid diet, a formal weight-loss program such
asWeight Watchers, or a self-constructed weight loss
program, everyone who successfully kept weight off
for five years or more incorporated exercise into their
daily routine. They also permanently changed their
eating habits to eat a lower calorie diet. Another
study found that inability or unwillingness to make
behavioral changes with regard to eating and exercise
was the most common predictor for regaining weight
lost during dieting.Resources
BOOKS
Fletcher, Anne M.Weight Loss Confidential: How Teens
Lose Weight and Keep It Off—And What They Wish
Parents Knew. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006.
Kriby, Jane (for the American Dietetic Association).Dieting
for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2004.
PERIODICALS
‘‘Weight Cycling During Growth and Beyond as a Risk
Factor for Later Cardiovascular Diseases: The
‘Repeated Overshoot’ Theory.’’International Journal of
Obesity. 30 (2006)S58-66.
Roybal, Donna. ‘‘Is Yo-Yo Dieting or Weight Cycling
Harmful to One’s Health?’’Nutrition Noteworthy.7, no
1 (2002): 9<http://repositories.cdlib.org/uclabiolchem/
nutritionnoteworthy/vol7/iss1/art9>
ORGANIZATIONS
Weight-control Information Network (WIN). 1 WIN Way,
Bethesda, MD 20892-3665. Telephone: (877)946-4627
or (202) 828-1025. Fax: (202) 828-1028. Website:
<http://win.niddk.nih.gov>
OTHER
Health Day. ‘‘Why Weight-loss Efforts Fail.’’ Medline Plus,
February 23, 2007.<http://www.nlm.nih/gov/
medlineplus/news/fullstory_45742.html>
Weight-control Information Network. ‘‘Weight Cycling.’’
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kid-
ney Diseases, March 2006.<http://win.niddk.nih.gov/
publications/cycling.htm>
Word on Health ‘‘Facts About Weight Cycling.’’ National
Institutes of Health, August 2004.<http://www.nih.
gov/news/WordonHealth/aug2004/story04.htm>Tish Davidson, A.M.Weight Loss 4 Idiots
Definition
Weight Loss 4 Idiots is also known as Fat Loss 4
Idiots. It is an 11 day diet based around the idea that
changing the type of calories eaten each day will trick
themetabolisminto burning fat.Weight Loss 4 Idiots