Read each statement. Indicate whether you think it is true or false.

1. Dieting always leads to permanent weight loss. _______________
    
2. Every person has his or her own natural weight. _______________
    
3. It’s easy to lose weight. _______________
    
4. People, who are above average in weight, overeat. _______________
    
5. All above average weight people are unhealthy. _______________
    
6. Thin people are healthier that over weight people. _______________
    
7. Eating normally means eating only diet foods. _______________
    
8. Dieting may cause weight gain. _______________
    
9. Most diets don’t work. _______________
    
10. Normal eating means eating a variety of foods. _______________
     
11. It’s easy to gain weight. _______________
     
12. Normal eating means eating only sweet foods. _______________
     
13. Dieting can lead to an eating disorder. _______________
     
14. Dieting may make a person unhealthy. _______________

How did you do??

1. False – Research indicates that 95% of individuals who diet to lose weight regain the weight within one year.
2. True – Set-point theory suggests that every person has a natural weight range that is determined by heredity.
3. False – The body fights to stay within a person’s natural weight range. The body’s metabolism slows down when a person restricts caloric intake.
4. False – Weight is determines largely by genetic make-up.
5. False – Yo-yo dieting is unhealthy. Unless a person is morbidly obese, weight is not a health risk.
6. False – Being extremely thin as a result of weight loss is dangerous. Eating a variety of foods from all food groups is important regardless of body size.
7. False – People can obtain the appropriate amount of nutrients and vitamins from food choices as outlined in Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating.
8. True - Most individuals who go on calorie restricting diets regain the weight once off the diet. It is not uncommon for the weight to overshoot the person’s set-point before restoring itself.
9. True – Diets are unhealthy especially for young people who are still growing. Diets do not allow a person to obtain proper nutritional requirements and volume of food. Dieting usually makes a person more preoccupied with food, weight and shape.
10. True – Choosing a variety of foods from the four food groups plus other foods is normal healthy eating.
11. False – Research indicates that the body defends its set-point range regardless if a person tries to lose or gain weight. The metabolism and heart rate increase when extra calories are consumed, the majority of which gets burned off.
12. False – Foods from all foods are necessary for healthy functioning.
13. True – Dieting usually makes a person preoccupied with thoughts about food and weight. When a person reaches a nutritionally deprived state, she/he usually begins to experience signs of an eating disorder.
14. True – Dieting usually compromises a person’s physical and emotional well-being.

For help with eating disorders contact 
the Teen Health Centre at (519) 253-8481
and ask to speak to a counsellor