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Does weight cycling present a health risk?

¹Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, 55454-1015, USA.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

|March 1, 1996

Summary

Weight variability is linked to higher mortality, but evidence remains insufficient to confirm health risks from unsuccessful dieting. More research is needed to understand the connection between weight fluctuations and overall health outcomes.

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Area of Science:

Epidemiology
Public Health
Nutrition Science

Background:

The hypothesis suggests that weight fluctuations from dieting pose health risks.
Epidemiologic studies indicate a correlation between weight variability and increased mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

To review research on the health hazards of weight fluctuations caused by unsuccessful dieting.
To evaluate the evidence supporting the weight-cycling hypothesis.

Main Methods:

Review of recent epidemiologic findings.
Analysis of studies correlating weight variability with mortality rates.
Assessment of methodological limitations and biological plausibility.

Main Results:

Weight variability is associated with increased total and cardiovascular mortality (relative risk: 1.5-2.0).
Methodological limitations, including defining weight cycling and linking it to dieting, raise questions about causality.
A plausible biological mediator for weight fluctuation as a health hazard is currently absent.

Conclusions:

Epidemiologic data on weight variability and health are intriguing but inconclusive.
Current evidence is insufficient to alter public health recommendations on weight control.
Further research is needed to establish a causal link and biological mechanisms.

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