Crash-Dieting May Lead To More Weight Gain, Study Suggests

A new study has found that individuals who are stressed and have a history of dieting may be more likely to eat high-fat foods compared to those who have not dieted.

First, the scientists from the University of Pennsylvania examined how a limited diet affects the behavior and hormone levels of mice. After three weeks, the animals lost up to 15 percent of their body weight — similar to that of a human weight-loss diet.

The researchers noted that the mice exhibited increased levels of stress after the study period and found that several genes that control stress and eating had changed. Therefore, the investigators used the mice that had previously dieted and compared them to animals who had not dieted to monitor how much fatty foods each of them ate.

The findings suggested that the mice that had once dieted ate more high-fat foods, compared to the normal subjects. As a result, crash-dieters may be more likely to gain weight.

Jeffrey Zigman, MD, medical expert at the University of Texas, said the study shows that human dieters may often face difficulty when trying to "maintain their weight loss goals."

Eating healthy is one way for a person to manage or maintain their weight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fresh fruits and vegetables as well as calcium rich foods are all important for a well-balanced diet.