Dieting – the Good, the Bad and the Deadly

Dieting is something that is experienced by all at one time or another. It may be undertaken voluntarily, under professional supervision or compulsively. The reason to adopt a particular diet may be for cosmetic or health purposes. Both of these reasons make it a good and proper procedure. If dieting is compulsive then it is probably a mental disorder for which treatment should be sought. Both anorexia and bulimia are potentially deadly disorders.

Probably the most common reason for dieting is to achieve an appearance outcome. Often weight increases with age because the food intake remains stable but exercise decreases. Sporting activities are dropped with advancing years but food and alcohol remain evermore attractive. Without the physical activity there is often more time for gastronomic excess. Eventually appearance and the increasing tightness of clothing confirm an increase in weight. Self examination plus the sometimes hurtful comments of friends will push many to set out upon a course of dieting.

For many dieting becomes simply a scan of the pharmacy or supermarket shelves for what ever currently popular preparation is in vogue. Sometimes a form of light exercise is also adopted. These activities are rarely successful and are quickly abandoned. The problem is solved via retail therapy in the form of loose fitting clothes in a larger size. It is likely that this merely delays matters until the problem is health threatening. This is not good dieting.

Serious dieting with the prospect of achieving lasting results usually needs some form of supervision. The individual attention of dietitians is not usually employed. There are many commercial or professional organizations which can satisfy the need to lose weight. Both the Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers organizations have world wide reputations for success in helping in weight loss. Their success may well be because they offer support during and after initial intensive courses. The help offered by way continued meetings and peer review is similar to the successful model employed by Alcoholics Anonymous.

Medical conditions can be persuasive reasons for dieting. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be controlled by diet and exercise. Some forms of heart disease are diet related. In these cases diet control is essential to avoid further and probably worse conditions developing. Supervision in a clinical setting is usually undertaken by a dietitian.

Dieting prompted by both cosmetic and medical factors usually have good outcomes given appropriate and accepted control and advice. The reason prompting the need for dieting is usually some form of excess. It may be the over-indulgence in the good things of life or an over-commitment to physical leisure. Coupled with a good light exercise routine a diet of a little of what is fancied is probably good at any stage of life so long as emphasis in on “a little”.

References:

Anorexia and Bulimia

Jenny Craig

Weight Watchers

Alcoholics Anonymous

Type 2 Diabetes

Heart Disease


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