How dieting can help you maintain your weight for five years

Scientists have found that dieting can keep you slimmer for at least five years.

Many of those who embark on a health kick for the new year fear that they will simply gain the weight back later.

But for dieters who are truly committed to losing weight, it can take two years to regain a pound, evidence shows.

The largest scientific review of weight loss over time, analyzing 155 separate studies involving more than 150,000 people, found that those who started weight-loss programs lost nearly 11 pounds (4.9 kg) on ​​average.

Compared to people not on weight-loss programs, they remained slimmer for at least five years.

Improvement in quality of life after weight loss was found to last an average of nine years.

The review looked at people who got extensive weight loss support over an average of six months, mostly through diet and exercise.

Separate results showed lower blood pressure and lower levels of “bad” cholesterol five years after completing the weight-loss programme.

‘These results are really hopeful and reassuring, and show that people shouldn’t worry that they will quickly regain the weight they’ve lost after dieting,’ said Paul Averd, senior author of the review, and professor of behavioral medicine at the University of Oxford. .

Even after people stop dieting, they are more likely to remember the things they learned about healthy food choices, and they will continue trying to lose weight, which is really important.

People often end up dieting on and off over the years, but these results show that the weight loss and health benefits can last in the long term.

Our review looked at people who got help from healthcare experts, but we expect the findings to apply to those who lose weight by dieting on their own as well.

It can be difficult to keep the weight off after dieting, as old habits assert themselves and the excitement of dropping a dress size wears off.

But the review, published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, found that people who stuck to a strict weight loss program regained only a small amount each month, equivalent to about half a pound (0.22 kg) over the course of a year.

The studies compared a control group with overweight people who adhered to weight loss diet plans or weight loss programs or classes.

The control group either got no diet advice, or had little diet advice or basic weight loss help.

People on weight-loss programs lost just over 6 pounds (2.8 kg) more than the control group, on average.

An analysis of all study results found that they remained slimmer than the control group for at least five years.

There haven’t been enough studies that have lasted more than five years to know whether thinner people expect to be thinner for longer.

In terms of improving quality of life, Professor Afferd said: ‘People may be happier in the short term after losing weight because they feel they look better or have a sense of accomplishment, but people’s quality of life has been found to be improved for much longer than that. .

This may be because there is a link between higher BMI and lower mood, as they may be biologically related.

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