Y0 Yo Dieting

Are you a Yo Yo Dieter? Take this test and find out.


1. Do you eat when you are not hungry?
2. Do you regain significant amounts of weight after having dieted successfully?
3. Do you go on more than one diet a year?
4. Do you vary from one diet to the next only to blame the diet, or life’s circumstances for your resulting weight gain?
5. Do you resume old eating habits for no apparent reason?
6. Are you tired of searching for the “magical diet” that will make things much better in your life?
7. Do you have excuses for gaining weight?
8. Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating?

If you answered YES to four or more of these questions, then you are a Yo Yo Dieter.

Definition of Yo Yo Dieting

Yo yo Dieting (also known as weight cycling) is a repeated loss and gain of body weight. It is characterized by people who are overweight and who go on a diet, lose a substantial amount of weight only to gain most or all of it back, and then begin the process once again. This "treadmill like" existence takes it toll on people and their families who experience hope when they are losing weight which transforms to disgust and despair when they return to their overweight status. A majority of yo yo dieters experience the "roller coaster ride" of weight gain, weight loss and weight gain again at least two times a year.

Although research about the number of yo yo dieters in America is scant, we do know that many millions of Americans suffer from this condition and that it is often associated with depression as individuals become increasingly discouraged, ashamed, disgusted and angry with themselves. Research shows that their accompanying increased physical risks include type II diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

The good news is that with good treatment, people who are yo yo dieters can and do recover as they are restored to a healthy weight with only modest weight fluctuations. The sooner they are diagnosed and treated, the better their outcomes are likely to be. Health care professionals need to be particularly sensitive to this condition as they are often in a position to recommend comprehensive treatment as opposed to another diet, which repeatedly reinforces the yoyo dieter's belief that they just have not found the "magical diet that will solve their difficulties."