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Does dieting make you fat? A twin study
K H Pietiläinen1, S E Saarni, J Kaprio
1Obesity Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. kirsi.pietilainen@helsinki.fi
International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|August 11, 2011
Summary
Intentional weight loss (IWL) episodes predict future weight gain, suggesting dieting reflects a genetic susceptibility to obesity. Even without genetic factors, dieting may independently contribute to weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Obesity research
- Twin studies
- Genetics and weight management
Background:
- Paradoxical weight gain is often observed in individuals attempting to lose weight through dieting.
- Understanding the interplay between genetic predisposition and dieting behaviors is crucial for effective weight management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the tendency for weight gain during dieting is more strongly linked to genetic factors or to the dieting episodes themselves.
- To investigate the independent effect of intentional weight loss (IWL) on subsequent weight gain.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the FinnTwin16 study, including 4129 individual twins.
- Collected longitudinal data on weight and height from ages 16 to 25.
- Assessed the number of intentional weight loss (IWL) episodes exceeding 5 kg by age 25.
Main Results:
- Individuals with one or more IWL episodes showed a significantly higher risk of becoming overweight by age 25.
- In monozygotic twin pairs with differing IWL histories, the dieting twin was heavier, suggesting dieting's impact.
- Dizygotic twin pairs with IWL exhibited progressively greater weight gain compared to their non-dieting co-twins.
Conclusions:
- Frequent intentional weight loss (IWL) episodes may indicate an underlying susceptibility to weight gain.
- Dieting behaviors appear to predispose individuals to future weight gain, potentially independent of genetic influences.
- Findings suggest that dieting itself might contribute to a small, subsequent increase in weight.
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