Dieting alone ‘will not cause weight loss’

Those dieting with the aim of shedding a few pounds must also exercise if they are to achieve their weight loss goals, a study has shown.

Scientists at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) discovered that reducing caloric intake alone will not promote significant weight loss.

They claim this is because of a compensatory mechanism in the body that reduces the amount of physical activity a person does when fewer calories are consumed.

“Food is not always plentiful for humans and animals and the body seems to have developed a strategy for responding to these fluctuations,” said Dr Judy Cameron, a senior scientist and professor of behavioural neuroscience, obstetrics and gynaecology at OHSU.

She went on to say that the new findings could bring about the development of interventions emphasising both diet and exercise to battle obesity.

Those who struggle to control their caloric intake may wish to try the diet pill Zotrim, which was found by researchers at the University of Liverpool to cause people to eat 18 per cent fewer calories.

Have you ever tried diet pills?