What Is Yo-Yo Dieting And Why It Is Bad For Your Health

Ch V Mridula discusses yo-yo dieting and how it affects your health.

- Ch V Mridula

Case study

Ms Kritika Khatri (name changed) began her diet at a very young age. She followed an irregular diet pattern for nearly 10 years. Every time she resumed her normal diet, she would put on more weight than what she had reduced. Her body weight fluctuated every time she would stop and begin her diet. By the age of 21, Ms Khatri was diagnosed of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), had developed insulin resistance and was on the onset of Diabetes. Ms Khatri understood that her interpretation of 'lifestyle changes' in successful weight loss was not appropriate. But she was determined to get her health back to normal. Her diagnosis acted as an eye-opener and led her to understand the importance of conscious eating over starving oneself. She started taking a balanced diet. Earlier she would consume aerated drinks even when she quit other foods. She stopped continuing the same now. But her task didn't finish here. She still had to loose 100 kg of weight that she had gained all this long.

During her diagnosis, Ms Khatri shut herself from the outside world. She rejected her social life and avoided going in the public due to her guilt. Ms Khatri wholeheartedly wanted to turn her situation around. She had set targets to lose her body weight. She would religiously work out every day and after achieving her target, she would gift herself a pair of clothing that is a size lesser than before. Eventually she gained her confidence back, stepped out into the public and joined a support group where she was encouraged in her attempt to get fit. Slowly with medical help, her health was brought back to normal. She says she was never so happier than now.

What is yo-yo dieting?