Weight cycling is the repeated loss and regain of body weight that often results from yo-yo dieting or going on and off a weight loss plan. There are health implications to weight cycling regardless of how many pounds are lost and then gained. Before embarking on a weight loss diet, it is important to understand the potential medical concerns linked to this phenomenon.
Compromised Immune System
Yo-yo dieting or weight cycling can compromise your immune system, according to a New York Times article summarizing the results of a study conducted by Dr. Cornelia M. Ulrich of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Of the 114 overweight but healthy women included in the study, those who had "yo-yo'd" most often had lower levels of immune system cells that attack viruses. Those women with stable weight had the highest levels of immune system cells.
Cardiovascular Health
Research evidence suggests an association between yo-yo dieting, weight fluctuations and cardiovascular disease. According to a U.S. News and World Report about a 2006 study led by Dr. Jean-Pierre Montani of the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, weight cycling can lead to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders like hypertension or diabetes.
Increased Weight Gain
Women who lose and gain weight from yo-yo dieting tend to gain more weight over time than those who do not. According to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, this added weight may be the result of binge eating patterns found in women who weight cycle. According to a study quoted by the NIDDK, women who weight cycle are less likely to use physical activity to control their weight, which, in turn, may ultimately result in added weight gain.
Mental Health
The NIDDK suggests a possible connection between weight cycling and mental health, and reports that depression, or a feeling of failure, can occur in people who weight cycle. The institute recommends focusing on making long-term changes in eating and exercise habits to counter feelings of depression and failure.
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