Research paper
Mann T, Tomiyama AJ, Westling E, Lew AM, Samuels B, Chatman J. Medicare’s search for effective obesity treatments: Diets are not the answer. American Psychologist. 2007;62(3):220-233. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.62.3.220. PMID: 17469900.
Why we cite it
Systematic review applying the GRADE evidence framework to 31 long-term diet studies (7 randomized, 14 observational follow-ups, 10 prospective) to evaluate calorie-restricting diets as obesity treatment. Demonstrates that diets fail not just anecdotally but systematically, and identifies four specific methodological biases (low follow-up rates, self-reported weights, confounding with exercise, additional dieting between assessments) that make diet outcomes appear better than they are. Concludes that exercise, not dieting, may be the potent factor in sustained weight management. Directly relevant to the project’s evidence base for why diets fail and why sustainable behavior change is preferable to restriction.
DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.62.3.220 · PubMed 17469900 · Publisher
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