Myths About Dieting: Fact or Fiction?

Activity 6: Myths About Dieting “Dieting” includes periods of fasting, restricting foods based on food groups or calories/kilojoules, or following strict food rules. It can include “fad diets,” other commercial diets or diet programs, which generally cannot be maintained over a long period of time. There are a number of commonly held beliefs about dieting and this activity aims to help you work out which are fact and which are fiction. Click Here To Get Started

Fact or Fiction? Dieting is the same as having “a healthy diet” What do you think? Please select one of the following FACT FICTION Go Back

Actually, it’s FICTION. Dieting is NOT the same as having “a healthy diet”. This can be confusing because some “healthy eating” messages suggest cutting out certain foods or food groups. “Dieting” is when there is specific changes to the diet (e.g. not eating certain types of foods, limiting energy content, following food “rules”). Dieting is known to lead to poor physical and emotional health, particularly because strict food rules can set up an unhealthy relationship with food and eating. “A healthy diet”, however, is a sustainable, relaxed, and flexible approach to food and eating. Having a healthy diet means eating a wide range of foods, including less nutritious options in moderation, and doing so whilst paying attention to your natural appetite signals. Go Back Next

Correct, it’s FICTION. Dieting is NOT the same as having “a healthy diet”. This can be confusing because some “healthy eating” messages suggest cutting out certain foods or food groups. “Dieting” is when there is specific changes to the diet (e.g. not eating certain types of foods, limiting energy content, following food “rules”). Dieting is known to lead to poor physical and emotional health, particularly because strict food rules can set up an unhealthy relationship with food and eating. “A healthy diet”, however, is a sustainable, relaxed, and flexible approach to food and eating. Having a healthy diet means eating a wide range of foods, including less nutritious options in moderation, and doing so whilst paying attention to your natural appetite signals. Go Back Next

Fact or Fiction? Dieting is effective for long-term weight loss. What do you think? Please select one of the following FACT FICTION Go Back

Actually, it’s FICTION. Dieting is NOT effective for long-term weight loss. Dieting has been repeatedly shown to predict future weight gain. In fact, research has shown that 95 to 98% of people who diet are likely to put on more weight than they lost within the 5 years (but for most as short as 2 years) after going on their diet or stopping their diet. People who don't diet tend to maintain a more stable weight than those who do. Go Back Next

Correct, it’s FICTION. Dieting is NOT effective for long-term weight loss. Dieting has been repeatedly shown to predict future weight gain. In fact, research has shown that 95 to 98% of people who diet are likely to put on more weight than they lost within the 5 years (but for most as short as 2 years) after going on their diet or stopping their diet. People who don't diet tend to maintain a more stable weight than those who do. Go Back Next

Fact or Fiction? Restricting dietary intake can cause an increase in appetite. What do you think? Please select one of the following FACT FICTION Go Back

Correct, it’s FACT. Restricting dietary intake can cause an increase in appetite. Evidence suggests that a variety of different factors resulting from dieting (such as imbalances in hormones, disconnection to natural hunger and fullness signals, thinking too much about controlling dietary intake) can drive the body’s desire for food. This is why moderation of a range of foods eaten regularly throughout the day supports optimal health. Go Back Next

Actually, it’s FACT. Restricting dietary intake can cause an increase in appetite. Evidence suggests that a variety of different factors resulting from dieting (such as imbalances in hormones, disconnection to natural hunger and fullness signals, thinking too much about controlling dietary intake) can drive the body’s desire for food. This is why moderation of a range of foods eaten regularly throughout the day supports optimal health. Go Back Next

Fact or Fiction? The only way for “overweight” people to be healthier is to lose weight. What do you think? Please select one of the following FACT FICTION Go Back

Actually, it’s FICTION. Losing weight is NOT the only way for “overweight” people to improve health. Research has consistently indicated that weight itself has little to do with health. In other words, weight loss or gain in otherwise healthy people (regardless of weight) has not been shown to improve overall health. The best indicator of overall health, wellbeing, and longevity seems to be medical, health, and well-being measures, such as blood pressure, mental health and moving the body. Therefore, having a nutritious balanced diet, regular enjoyable exercise, and good mental health is the best way to foster and maintain optimal health at a variety of shapes and sizes. Go Back Next

Correct, it’s FICTION. Losing weight is NOT the only way for “overweight” people to improve health. Research has consistently indicated that weight itself has little to do with health. In other words, weight loss or gain in otherwise healthy people (regardless of weight) has not been shown to improve overall health. The best indicator of overall health, wellbeing, and longevity seems to be medical, health, and well-being measures, such as blood pressure, mental health and moving the body. Therefore, having a nutritious balanced diet, regular enjoyable exercise, and good mental health is the best way to foster and maintain optimal health at a variety of shapes and sizes. Go Back Next

Fact or Fiction? Leaner people live longer lives. What do you think? Please select one of the following FACT FICTION Go Back

Actually, it’s FICTION. Leaner people do not necessarily live longer lives. Except at extremes (i.e., being very overweight, very underweight), people in the healthy weight and overweight range are both predicted to have a similar lifespan. In fact, some studies indicate that people who are in the "overweight" range live longer than those in the healthy weight range. This again strongly indicates the importance of accepting one’s natural shape whilst at the same time aiming for a lifestyle that incorporates a balanced diet, regular exercise, and opportunities to optimise emotional well-being. Go Back Next

Correct, it’s FICTION. Leaner people do not necessarily live longer lives. Except at extremes (i.e., being very overweight, very underweight), people in the healthy weight and overweight range are both predicted to have a similar lifespan. In fact, some studies indicate that people who are in the "overweight" range live longer than those in the healthy weight range. This again strongly indicates the importance of accepting one’s natural shape whilst at the same time aiming for a lifestyle that incorporates a balanced diet, regular exercise, and opportunities to optimise emotional well-being. Go Back Next

Fact or Fiction? Children who are overweight should not be put on a diet. What do you think? Please select one of the following FACT FICTION Go Back

Correct, it’s FACT. Children who are overweight should NOT be put on a diet. Dieting has been shown to be an ineffective form of weight control and after 5 years has an increased risk of leading to higher weight, disordered eating behaviours (such as binge eating) and is a significant risk of developing an eating disorder. Rather than focus on weight, children should be taught to focus on health, and this means eating a wide variety of foods, including “sometimes” foods in moderation, and doing regular, fun physical activity. Go Back Next

Actually, it’s FACT. Children who are overweight should NOT be put on a diet. Dieting has been shown to be an ineffective form of weight control and after 5 years has an increased risk of leading to higher weight, disordered eating behaviours (such as binge eating) and is a significant risk of developing an eating disorder. Rather than focus on weight, children should be taught to focus on health, and this means eating a wide variety of foods, including “sometimes” foods in moderation, and doing regular, fun physical activity. Go Back Next

Summary: Dieting is unhealthy and can be harmful Dieting (restricting foods based on food groups or calories/kilojoules, or fasting) is not a healthy behaviour and can lead to a number of negative consequences including weight gain, binge eating, nutrient deficiencies, depression, and eating disorders. Despite the passing popularity of various “fad” diets, there is a significant amount of evidence to show that diets don’t work. Children, in particular, should not diet because it can have a negative impact on physical growth and development, as well as emotional and psychological health. Next

You have reached the end of this activity! Thank you for completing this activity. We hope this helped you understand some of the common myths and facts about dieting that can support you in either reducing any unhealthy dieting behaviours yourself, actively discouraging dieting in others, or providing a positive eating role model for your child. Go Back to the Start

Myths About Dieting: Fact or Fiction?