Repeated weight loss followed by weight regain, often called "yo-yo dieting" or weight cycling, has long been viewed as unhealthy and potentially even worse than staying overweight. However, a major new review published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology argues that this belief is not backed by strong scientific evidence.
In an invited Personal View article, Professor Faidon Magkos of the University of Copenhagen and Professor Norbert Stefan of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), University Hospital Tübingen, and Helmholtz Munich reviewed decades of research involving both humans and animals. After examining the evidence, they found no convincing proof that weight cycling itself causes long-term harm in people with obesity.
"Many people struggling with weight are discouraged from trying to lose weight because they fear 'yo-yo dieting' will lead to muscle loss and somehow damage their metabolism," says Prof. Magkos. "Our review indicates that these fears are largely unsupported. In most cases, the benefits of trying to lose weight clearly outweigh the theoretical risks of weight cycling."
Longstanding fears about yo-yo dieting
For years, weight cycling has been linked to a wide range of health concerns, including greater fat accumulation, faster muscle loss, slower metabolism, and increased risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These concerns have influenced public opinion and even medical advice, leading some people to believe repeated dieting attempts may ultimately cause more harm than benefit.
