Questions and Answers
What percentage of American adults reported trying to lose excess body fat in a 2016 survey?
42%
What is a common characteristic of fad diets?
Temporary weight loss, followed by regain of lost weight when prior habits are resumed
Why do many people who are overweight or obese seek quick fixes to lose weight?
Because they want to lose weight quickly, rather than accepting slow but steady weight loss
What is a common misconception about weight-loss diets?
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What percentage of people reported using fad diets, liquid diets, or diet foods as weight-loss tools?
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What is a more effective approach to weight loss, according to the text?
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What is a characteristic of commercial weight-loss programs with good track records?
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Why is it important for individuals to recognize that it took months and probably years to gain excess fat?
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What is the primary reason people regain weight after following fad diets?
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What is a common characteristic of fad diets that leads to boredom and monotony?
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Why do low-carbohydrate diets often produce rapid weight loss initially?
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What is a key indicator of a fad diet?
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Why do fad diets that eliminate an entire food group lead to nutritional imbalances?
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What happens to the body's stored glycogen when carbohydrate intake is low?
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What is a common requirement of fad diets that is not supported by scientific evidence?
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Why do people who follow low-carbohydrate diets tend to eat less?
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What happens to the excess water in the body when glycogen content is reduced?
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What is a key difference between fad diets and a healthy weight loss approach?
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What is a common feature of weight-loss product ads that should raise skepticism?
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Why should consumers be cautious of ads claiming no need to change dietary patterns or physical activity?
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What is a red flag in weight-loss product ads claiming permanent weight loss?
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Why should consumers be wary of 'scientifically proven' or 'doctor-endorsed' claims in weight-loss product ads?
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What is the limitation of money-back guarantees in weight-loss product ads?
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Why should consumers be skeptical of 'safe' or 'natural' claims in weight-loss product ads?
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What is the limitation of testimonials from satisfied customers in weight-loss product ads?
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What is a common tactic used in weight-loss product ads to support claims of effectiveness?
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Why should consumers be cautious of weight-loss products that claim to be 'proven 100% safe'?
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What is a common feature of weight-loss product ads that targets consumers who have lost weight but gained it back?
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What visual cues are used in 'before' and 'after' photos to create a more dramatic weight loss illusion?
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What type of marketing practices were deemed unfair and deceptive by the FTC in a 2017 lawsuit?
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What is often found in small print at the bottom of 'after' photos in weight-loss advertisements?
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What was the outcome of the 2017 lawsuit against the developers and promoters of a nationally marketed weight-loss program?
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What is the implication of the FTC's lawsuit against the weight-loss program?
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What can individuals do to avoid falling for fad diets and unfair marketing practices?
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What is a common reason why people may get bored with a diet that consists of grains, fruits, and vegetables?
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Why do registered dietitian nutritionists not recommend any dietary supplement for weight loss?
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What was banned by the FDA in 2004 due to reports of serious side effects and deaths?
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What is a potential side effect of taking bitter orange as a weight-loss supplement?
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What is a potential risk associated with taking conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as a weight-loss supplement?
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What is a potential side effect of taking garcinia cambogia as a weight-loss supplement?
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What is a potential risk associated with taking glucomannan as a weight-loss supplement?
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What is a potential side effect of taking green tea extracts as a weight-loss supplement?
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Why are yohimbe-based supplements not recommended for weight loss?
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What is the general consensus among medical experts regarding dietary supplements for weight loss?
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What type of foods are considered 'healthy carbs' and why?
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What is the association between high-density lipoprotein levels and serum triglyceride levels with the risk of CVD?
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What is the key factor for losing weight, particularly excess body fat, according to registered dietitian nutritionists?
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What is intermittent fasting (IF), and how does it limit calorie intake?
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What were the findings of the meta-analysis on the effectiveness of IF for losing weight?
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What are the benefits of IF beyond weight loss, according to medical research?
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What are very-low-fat diets, and what percentage of calories do they supply from fat?
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Why are very-low-fat diets difficult to follow for the long term?
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What is the dropout rate of subjects in the IF group in one study, and what does this indicate?
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Who should consult with a physician before using IF, and why?
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Study Notes
Unreliable Weight-Loss Methods
- Characteristics of fad diets:
- Quick fix; promises rapid weight loss without calorie restriction and increased physical activity
- Nutritionally imbalanced; limits food selections from a few food groups, eliminates an entire food group, and may dictate specific rituals
- Requires buying a book or various gimmicks, such as expensive dietary supplements, weight-loss patches, or cellulite-reducing creams
- Uses outlandish and unscientific claims to support its usefulness
- Relies on testimonials from famous people or connects the diet to trendy places
- Does not emphasize the need to change eating habits and physical activity patterns
- Examples of fad diets:
- Cabbage soup and grapefruit diets; promotes eating single foods
- Low-carbohydrate diets; often produce rapid weight loss initially due to water loss, but may lead to boredom and monotony
- Low-carbohydrate diets:
- Typically produce rapid weight loss initially due to water loss
- May lead to boredom and monotony
- Not all forms of carbohydrate are unhealthy; foods rich in dietary fiber, such as whole grains, beans, and whole fruits and vegetables, are considered sources of "healthy carbs"
- Intermittent fasting (IF):
- Gaining popularity as an alternative weight-loss method
- Typically features a cyclic pattern of consuming solid foods as desired and then avoiding most or all foods over a consistent period
- May help individuals maintain lean body mass, lower BMI, reduce insulin resistance, and improve blood glucose control, but may not be superior to a control diet for losing weight
- Very-low-fat diets:
- Very-high-carbohydrate diets
- Supply approximately 5-10% of calories from fat and result in rapid weight loss when followed consistently
- Examples include the Pritikin Diet and Dr. Dean Ornish's "Eat More, Weigh Less" diet plans
- Difficult to follow for the long term due to lack of flavor and texture
- Dietary supplements for weight loss:
- Many are not scientifically tested in humans for safety and effectiveness
- Registered dietitian nutritionists do not recommend any dietary supplement for weight loss
- Table 10.7 presents science-based findings about popular weight-loss supplements, including their potential usefulness and safety concerns
- Analyzing advertising hype for weight-loss supplements:
- Be wary of claims that promise quick and easy weight loss
- Typical claims to watch out for:
- Rapid and extreme weight loss
- No need to change dietary patterns or physical activity
- Permanent weight loss
- Scientifically proven or doctor endorsed
- Money-back guarantee
- Safe or natural
- Supported by satisfied customers
- Before-and-after photos
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Description
Identify characteristics of weight-reduction methods that are likely to be unsafe and unreliable. Learn about the strategies people use to lose weight and how to distinguish effective from ineffective methods.