eaten each day will trick the metabolism into burning
fat. There is no evidence cited, and no significant
scientific studies have been done that support this idea.
Although the diet provides different meal plans to
different dieters based on the dieter’s preferences and
goals, the diet does seem to have some common com-
ponents for each dieter. Because the diet attempts to
change the kinds of food that are consumed each day,
it is difficult for a dieter to eat a balanced diet. For this
reason, and because many meals are made up of just
one food, the diet may not meet the recommendations
by the United States Department of Agriculture in
their MyPyramid food guidelines for a healthy diet.
Fat Loss 4 Idiots only includes one type of food in
most meals. This makes getting enough vegetables
difficult because vegetables are often seen as a side
dish. MyPyramid recommends that healthy adults
eat the equivalent of 2 to 3 cups of vegetables each
day. The Fat Loss 4 Idiots diet is unlikely to meet this
recommendation on most days.
MyPyramid also recommends that healthy adults
eat the equivalent of 1 and a half to 2 cups of fruit per
day. It is unlikely that a person following the Fat Loss
4 Idiots diet would eat this much fruit. Some daily
meal plans for this diet do not include fruit at all.
Dairy products are generally considered to be part
of a healthy diet. MyPyramid recommends the equiv-
alent of 3 cups of low-fat or non-fat dairy per day for
healthy adults. Some days of the diet may not include
any dairy products. If a dairy product, such as cottage
cheese, is included in one meal it is unlikely that a
dieter would want to eat enough of it in one sitting to
get three full servings.
Starches and grains are also considered a neces-
sary and important part of any healthy diet. MyPyr-
amid recommends the equivalent of 3 to 4 ounces of
grains each day for healthy adults, of which at least
half should be whole grains. The Fat Loss 4 Idiots diet
would probably very rarely meet this requirement.
Many days of this diet do not include any kind of
starch or grain at all.
MyPyramid recommends that healthy adults eat
between 5 and 6 and one half ounces of meat or beans
each day. The Fat Loss 4 Idiots would probably meet,
and in most cases probably exceed, this recommenda-
tion on most days. Many different lean meats seem to
be included in this diet on a daily basis.
Fat Loss 4 Idiots does not include any specific
recommendations for exercise. Exercise is generally
accepted to be an important part of any weight loss
program, and is required for general good health.Many studies have found that dieting and exercise
are more effective for weight loss when done together
than either is when done alone. In 2007, the Centers
for Disease Control recommended that healthy adults
get 30 minutes or more of light to moderate exercise
each day. Following the Fat Loss 4 Idiots diet with-
out adding exercise to the plan would not meet this
requirement.Resources
BOOKS
Shannon, Joyce Brennfleck ed.Diet and Nutrition Source-
book.Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2006.
Willis, Alicia P. ed.Diet Therapy Research Trends.New
York: Nova Science, 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association. 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995. Telephone:
(800) 877-1600. Website:<http://www.eatright.org>
OTHER
Fat Loss 4 Idiots2007.<http://www.fatloss4idiots.com>
(April 3, 2007).
‘‘Fat Loss 4 Idiots’’Skinny on Diets2007.<http://skinnyondiets.
com/>(April 4, 2007).Helen M. DavidsonWeight Watchers
Definition
Weight Watchers is the largest commercial
weight-loss program in the world. The diet is based
on calorie and portion control while eating regular
food, exercise, and behavior modification.Origins
By the mid 2000s, more than 25 million people
worldwide had participated in the Weight Watchers
program that was started in the living room of an
overweight housewife in Queens, New York. When
Jean Nidetch needed to lose weight, she attended a
diet clinic sponsored by the New York City Board of
Health. However, after she had lost about 20 lb (10
kg), she found it hard to remain motivated to stay on
the diet. Her solution was to ask a group of overweight
friend to come to her house and talk about their eating
and dieting challenges. This group evolved into a reg-
ularsupportgroup.Whileattendingthisgroup,Nidetch
had the insight that dieting was not just about food,
but about changing behaviors.Weight Watchers