Gina Ghilani and Ashley Riley

Introduction

Most Popular Diets

Advocare, 17%
Other, 25%

Number of Respondants

Losing weight is one of the top resolutions made at the start of each
year. In a society that is focused on weight loss and being thin, it is not
surprising the millions of people that fall into the trap of phony-weight
loss and diet programs. Fad diets are considered nutrition regimens,
generally of an extreme nature, intended to produce results more
quickly than a traditional diet exercise combination; often of a
dubious nature. With over 1,000 books, products, and the endless use of

the Internet, claims and recommendations can be confusing to sort

through. One study stated, 52% of people believe it is easier to do
their taxes than figure out how to eat healthfully.
Fad diets are typically compromised of 3 different patterns, which

include (1) one particular food that exaggerates special outcomes, (2)
foods that are eliminated from the diet because they may cause harm to
the body, and (3) using health foods as a expression or lifestyle.1 Those
seeking weight loss information are more susceptible to falling for
misleading or cure-all claims.2 Millions of dollars are spent each year in
the weight loss industry, yet research and data are insufficient.3 Impacts
of these types of diets are not sustainable, therefore educating
moderation and balance is important.3

Primary Nutrition Information Source

30

25
20
15
10
5
0

Magazine

TV

Health Care

Internet

Table 2: Shows the number of respondents on the y-axis and media sources on the xaxis. As seen on the graph, the Internet is the primary source at 39%.

Fad diets are followed with the goal of losing weight quickly. However
these types of diets are not often maintainable over a lifetime.
Side Effects/Symptoms:
Inadequate vitamin and mineral
Weakness and fatigue
intake
Dehydration
Nausea and headaches

Weight Watchers, 7%

Significant findings:
Staying compliant with restrictions of calories/specific foods/food
groups is less effective than a healthy lifestyle in the long term.4
Most are not able to keep up with the demands of a fad diet and usually
end up gaining back any weight that they initially lost plus more.4
Registered Dietitians play an important role in combating food faddism
and miscommunications in inpatient, outpatient, and public settings.

Whole30, 3%
21 Day Fix, 10%

Juice Cleanse,
8%

250

Willingness to Spend on Diet Products Per Year Versus

Sessions with a Dietitian

$ Per Month

The Adkins Diet, 18%

Bulletproof Diet, 1%

Survey Report Findings: Participants ages 18-50+ were asked Have you ever
tried diet, weight loss, or lifestyle change programs? There was a significant (p
value <.05) negative correlation showing that as age increased the more likely a
diet, weight loss, or lifestyle change program had been tried. The graph above
represents the different diet approaches that participants have tried. The other
category was the largest indicating that other unspecified attempts have been tried.

$ 1 Session With a Dietitian

200

Money Per Year

Shakeology, 6%

Varying definitions of healthy eating are used and should be

understood by nutrition professionals.7
Ability to stay compliant with a weight loss program is the one
factor that could lead to successful weight loss.8
Although it is inconclusive whether or not a balanced lifestyle will
lead to more weight loss short term, adopting healthy habits have
longer lasting effects.9

. .

The Paleo Diet, 10%

IIFYM, 1%

As knowledge supporting the connection between diet and overall

health continues to grow, many consumers will continue to take
personal healthy and nutrition decisions into their own hands.
Individuals are becoming more trusting on nutrition information from
outside sources and thereby creating opportunities for misinformation.
$64 billion in 2014.5
The U.S. weight loss market totaled
source of support and
The Internet provides a convenient
.
information for individuals.6

150
100

50
0

Number of Respondents

Table 3: Shows the amount of money willing to spend on the y-axis and the number
of respondents on the x-axis.

Stay Current: keep up on the latest trends, social influences, and

beliefs by checking news sources, books, and magazine articles.10
Use Science: to combat negative or unhealthy habits10
Promote Balance: a balanced diet
and lifestyle which include all 9
foods when consumed in moderation
. and appropriate portion sizes.
use technology and social media sources to your
Take a Stand:
advantage. 10
As nutrition experts, it is important to understand why it is your patient
is influenced by these diets.9 Whether it be desperation for weight loss,
lack of awareness, or confusion, using empathy and practical
approaches is key.