The Problem With Diets
The global diet industry was worth $470 billion in 2021. Although dieting is widely accepted as health-promoting, studies suggest that weight loss diets don’t work in the long term. Further, dieting leads to poor relationships with food, and for can trigger eating disorders.
Here are some of the top problems with dieting:
- Diets are unsustainable and often lead to weight cycling
- Instead of healthy balanced nourishment, they teach restrictive habits
- Diets often draw focus to weight and appearance, fuelling body image issues
- Foods are labelled ‘good’ or ‘bad’, contributing to a poor relationship with food
- They tend to cut out foods from the diet, which can lead to poor nourishment
- An ‘all or nothing’ mindset often develops, leading to yo-yo dieting
- For many people, dieting can lead to disordered eating and eating disorders
- They do not support a healthy relationship with food and body image
- Many eating disorder sufferers recall a diet triggering the onset of their eating disorder
Dieting And Eating Disorders
Dieting can lead to a preoccupation with food and weight that, for some, can become obsessive and harmful. People who diet may also be more likely to develop disordered eating patterns, such as binge eating or purging, in an attempt to control their weight.
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have severe physical and emotional consequences. They are often characterised by an unhealthy relationship with food and an extreme focus on weight and body image.
There are several reasons why dieting may lead to eating disorders:
1) Restrictive eating
When people diet, they restrict their food intake in an attempt to lose weight. This can lead to a preoccupation with food and an unhealthy focus on calories and weight.
2) Body dissatisfaction
Dieting can contribute to body dissatisfaction as the goal for the ‘dream body’ is often unattainable. This can contribute to negative body image and low self-esteem.
3) Emotional triggers
Dieting may trigger emotional issues such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, or a desire for control, which can contribute to the development of an eating disorder.
4) Societal pressures
There may be societal or cultural pressure to diet and achieve a certain body type, which can lead to disordered behaviours in an effort to meet these standards.
5) Genetic predisposition
Some people may have a genetic predisposition to developing an eating disorder, which may be triggered by dieting.
It is important to note that dieting does not always lead to an eating disorder, but it can be a risk factor for developing disordered eating behaviours.
Remember that recovery from an eating disorder is a journey that may take time. It is essential to be patient with yourself and seek the help and support you need to make a full recovery.
At Natural Food Therapy, we know that recovery is always possible.
To find out more about how we can support you through recovery, click here.
