Impact of Weight Cycling on Health

Weight cycling, the repeated process of intentional weight loss followed by the inevitable period of weight restoration and for many increasing weight with time is associated with a number of adverse health outcomes.

This slide set details these outcomes on slide 2 & slide 3 looks specifically at cardiovascular related outcomes.

Talking point if presenting: "Many of these adverse health outcomes associated with weight cycling are often framed in the literature as a result of higher weight. This is something to keep in mind when appraising the evidence base. Has weight cycling/diet history been controlled for?"

Further reading & reference: O’Hara, L., & Taylor, J. (2018). What’s Wrong With the ‘War on Ob*sity?’ A Narrative Review of the Weight-Centered Health Paradigm and Development of the 3C Framework to Build Critical Competency for a Paradigm Shift. SAGE Open. [Link]