$Unique_ID{BRK02145}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{The Risks of Rapidly Fluctuating Weight}
$Subject{yo-yo dieting weight loss coronary artery heart disease}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


The Risks of Rapidly Fluctuating Weight


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  The new buzz word that is going around is "Yo-Yo" dieting.  If I
understand the articles in the paper, you might be better off if you stayed
fat.  It sure would save a lot of guilt, and probably considerable money too.
Still I find it hard to believe that fat is better than thin, so I hope you
will try to explain what all the frenzy is about.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  The wave of articles in the press and stories on television were
inspired by the results of a recent study published in the New England Journal
of Medicine.  It was based upon findings in the ongoing evaluation of adult
residents (ages 30-62) of the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, which was
started in 1948, and is collecting health statistics over the lifetime of
these individuals.  Reviewing the health records of 3,130 participants
revealed that individuals whose weight fluctuated frequently over a period of
32 years had a greater risk of coronary artery heart disease than people whose
weight remained relatively stable.  An additional conclusion was that the more
the weight changed, the greater was the risk.  That doesn't mean that
individuals who are substantially overweight won't achieve a better health
profile by shedding those excess pounds.  It translates into recommendations
for safer, slower weight loss, that is maintained by new eating habits and
increasing the exercise content of daily living.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.