What Dieting Does To You

Millions of Americans diet to lose weight, eating skimpy portions and struggling to control what they consume. Researchers in the Netherlands, however, find that these diets don’t keep off the pounds. But they do have another big effect.

Dieting, according to this study, produces huge helpings of depression, anxiety, lowered self-esteem and guilt. The Dutch scientists found that dieters, by the end of the day, eat just as much as non-dieters but they just feel a lot guiltier about it.

The researchers conclude: “(Dieting) is not an indicator of actual restricted food intake, but rather a reflection of concerns about food and eating manifested in eating-related guilt.”