health
March 13, 2026
The Dieting Myth That Just Won’t Die
How a 50-year-year-old study about milkshakes duped psychology
TL;DR
- A 1970s study suggested that dieting and weight concerns lead people to overeat, a theory that became widely influential.
- Later research found flaws in the early studies, including inconsistent definitions of dietary restraint and unreliable self-reporting of calorie intake.
- Modern randomized controlled trials show that prescribed calorie restriction can lead to weight loss and improve eating disorder symptoms, contradicting the earlier theory.
- The scientific consensus now recognizes a more nuanced relationship between dieting and eating disorders, suggesting that extreme restriction is often unhealthy, but effective restraint can be beneficial.
- The increased availability of ultra-processed foods is a significant factor in modern eating habits and the obesity epidemic.
- Newer research indicates that dissatisfaction with one's body can lead to extreme weight-loss behaviors, or alternatively, overeating can lead to body dissatisfaction.
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