Within the food industry, there are many ‘taboo’ and secretive aspects, such as sly marketing, reducing serving size, and much more. One tactic commonly practiced, particularly within the world of dieting is the concept of illusion. These days with social media, and the Internet, unrealistic body proportions and expectations are portrayed, causing many to diet excessively, and do what is wrong for their body. Contrary to popular belief, many diets are ineffective. Though their purpose is to keep people fit, they often aren’t as beneficial as people would assume. Additionally, the dieting trend has greatly influenced society as a whole, not to mention and each individual on both physical and mental levels. These ‘extreme diets’ that people go on, whether they be cleanses to flush out toxins, or eliminating food groups in order to lose a quick 15 pounds, are harming their bodies, rather than improving their health or yielding their desired outcome of weight loss.
Though many consumers report their diets result in the achievement of their goals, research indicates that those results are usually neither permanent, nor long lasting. Sandra Aamodt conveys that studies have proven that five years after beginning a diet, most people return to their original weight, and 60% of people even gain excess weight. This alone clearly shows a flaw in the practice of dieting.
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Brains are programmed to have a set point, a weight within a range of 10-15 pounds more, or less, at which their bodies feel comfortable. Whenever their weight is outside of this range, they begin to feel uncomfortable in their own skin, and their bodies suddenly try to make up for the weight difference. The process of homeostasis is the idea that the body will perform the necessary measures to maintain the utmost level of health and wellness. This same process is responsible for the body acting like a thermostat. Just as when cold air enters the house, the thermostat just bumps up a level of heat, so too, our bodies attempt to maintain equilibrium by working to make up for this lost weight by causing us to become hungrier in order to return to the set point. This causes it to be almost impossible to successfully diet, and to keep the weight off for a prolonged period of time. Furthermore, eating that is too controlled and rigorous, can lead to the psychological mindset of binge eating caused by the flawed eating habits, causing one to be hungry at late hours, which only results with additional weight gain (Sandra Aamodt, ‘Why Dieting Doesn’t Usually Work’, Ted).
Aamodt continues to discuss the negative effect that American diet culture has played on its youth. She reveals shocking statistics, that in the US alone, 80% of ten-year-old girls have been on a diet. This is reflective of the harm that diet culture can cause people, as many have begun to judge their self-worth based on how skinny and fit they are. Naturally, this is most directly connected to habits of eating. This excessive emphasis on food and eating habits explains the rampant development of eating disorders. Many people spend so much time beginning new diets, as well as ending them, which causes a lack of mindspace, to take on long-term projects that require consistent and genuine effort. Additionally, many studies show that girls who begin to diet in their early teens are three times more likely to be overweight in the future.
Throughout her Ted Talk, Sandra Aamodt says, “If diets worked, we all be thin already”, demonstrating the foolishness of dieting. Diets don't often work, and though some may find success, the vast majority of people will see little to no results. In fact, many will see reverse effects upon their bodies. This emphasis on being ‘skinny and fit’ leads people to become overweight in the future, as well as playing a large role in the development of mental disorders. Additionally, much of this negative culture is due to the normalcy of a parent to tease a child for being ‘fat’, or ‘chubby’. This taunting will not result in any success, instead leading to negative thoughts and actions, as the child often begins to go on diets repeatedly and most likely without success.
As research increases, and more information about diets is published, one must remain in tune with their body and it's needs. It must be understood that being healthy and being thin are not the same. Being healthy is to be mindful of what you eat, and to learn more about your food. Knowledge is power in the food industry, and the more one knows, the more conscious one can be of their health. Instead of dieting, one should rather focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Instead of eliminating necessary food groups, one should simply eat in moderation. All this will help lead to a healthier and fulfilling lifestyle (Hannah Griffith, ‘Why Diet Culture Is a Problem’, Wellseek).
Diets are really not as successful as we wish they were, and with all this research being done people must be aware of the risks involved with excessive dieting, such as eating disorders and lack of mindspace. Most extreme diets that people go on are actually eliminating necessary food groups required for healthy living. These days it is becoming increasingly popular to have a healthy lifestyle rather than to diet, however many people are still dieting and are yet to be aware of the risks involved.
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