Introduction
The popularity of fad diets has grown tremendously due to the availability of social media and incessant promotion by celebrities together with the promise to deliver results within a short time (Jáuregui-Lobera, 2017). As such, most overweight people prefer this form of dieting as a way of dealing with their health problems (Sifferlin, 2017). People have divided opinions concerning the use of fad diets in cutting down the weight for obese people. On the one hand, proponents argue that such kinds of diets are effective in weight loss management. On the other hand, critics claim that fad diet does not play any role in reducing one’s weight
Thesis: Fad diets are more dangerous to overweight individuals than not dieting at all. The available research shows that overweight individuals using fad diet may gain more weight
Body
First Main Point
The proponents of fad diets promise overweight people that they will experience numerous health benefits including weight loss. However, such promises are not backed by any scientific evidence. According to Jáuregui-Lobera (2017), the best approach to weight loss management is to eat less and healthily coupled with leading active lifestyles.
Second Main Point
Fad diets do not play any significant role in the management of weight loss. While most people believe the promises made concerning fad diets, they ultimately end up gaining more weight. With over 40 percent of Americans being clinically overweight, the author notes that people should start living healthily as a way of dealing with this epidemic (Sifferlin, 2017).
Third Main Point
Fad diets focus on dietary intake without considerable energy expenditure. This scenario increases the positive energy balance, which ultimately leads to weight gain. Therefore, fad diets are unsustainable in the end, and they are counterproductive in the endeavor to lose and manage weight (Khawandanah & Tewfik, 2016).
Fourth Main Point
According to scientific evidence, the best way to lose and manage weight is through eating healthily and exercising as opposed to using fad diets. Researchers at McGill University carried out comparative studies to establish the best way to lose weight (Knapton, 2014). The findings revealed that fad diets lead to weight gain in the end, while the traditional strategy of eating healthily and leading active lifestyles showed remarkable results in the management of weight.
Fifth Main Point (Counter Argument)
Some components of fad diets have been shown to play an important role in weight loss. As such, fad diets reduce weight in the short term because of the extreme and rigorous restriction of calories. However, if the properties of the functional foods found in fad foods are used properly, they can play an important role in the management of weight (Navaro et al., 2017).
Conclusion
The available evidence shows that fad diets are counterproductive for obese people trying to reduce and manage their weights. The claims that obese individuals can lose significant weight within a short time after taking fad diets are not backed by any scientific evidence. The data presented in this paper shows that while persons on such diets may experience some positive results, in the end, they gain more weight.
Restatement of thesis: Therefore, fad diets are more dangerous to obese people as compared to not dieting at all. The available research shows that overweight individuals using a fad diet may gain more weight.
References
Jáuregui-Lobera, J. (2017). Fad diets, miracle diets, diet cult…but no results. Journal of Negative & No Positive Results, 2(3), 90–93.
Khawandanah, J., & Tewfik, I. (2016). Fad diets: Lifestyle promises and health Challenges. Journal of Food Research, 5(6), 80-95.
Knapton, S. (2014). Fad diets do little to aid weight loss or boost heart health, scientists find. The Telegraph. Web.
Navaro, D., Raz, O., Gabriel, S., Shriqui, V., Gonen, E., & Boaz, M. (2017). Functional foods in fad diets: A review. Functional Foods in Health and Disease,7(9), 702-715.
Sifferlin, A. (2017). The weight loss trap: Why your dieting isn’t working. Time. Web.