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NBC's @nutritionistsam misleading her readers in the very first sentence of one of her pro-weight-loss articles. (I assume the misleading wasn't intentional).
It's worth looking at because I've often seen results from the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) misused this way.
It's worth looking at because I've often seen results from the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) misused this way.
Ms. Cassetty includes the statistic from NWCR with no caveats to imply that evidence shows that sustained weight loss is possible for typical dieters.
But what she doesn't clearly explain to readers is that the NWCR's sample isn't representative, and what that means.
But what she doesn't clearly explain to readers is that the NWCR's sample isn't representative, and what that means.
In order to be included in the NWCR's database, you must FIRST be a successful dieter who has kept weight off long-term.
So yes, if you limit your study exclusively to successful long-term dieters, most of them will be... successful long-term dieters. I mean, duh!
So yes, if you limit your study exclusively to successful long-term dieters, most of them will be... successful long-term dieters. I mean, duh!
Because the NWCR isn't representative, it can't disprove the results of virtually all studies of weight-loss diets - which is that for the vast majority of weight losers, most or all weight loss will not be maintained long-term. Many even gain more weight, in the long term.
This includes ALL weight loss diets. Even those called "lifestyle changes." None of them have ever been shown to work for most fat people in the long term.
If you're going to show me studies you think contradict this, okay, but PLEASE read this first. https://amptoons.com/blog/?p=22049
If you're going to show me studies you think contradict this, okay, but PLEASE read this first. https://amptoons.com/blog/?p=22049
Now, @nutritionistsam might argue that by including the word "successful," she conveyed to readers that the NWCR is a nonrepresentative study whose findings cannot be assumed to apply to the average fat person.
That's nonsense.
That's nonsense.
Cassetty is writing for a general audience, and she knows that. The vast majority of ordinary readers won't understand that NWCR's findings aren't generalizable just from reading what she wrote.
"Well, couldn't I imitate what the people in the NWCR do to be successful dieters, and if I do the same thing I'll also be a successful dieter?"
No more than if I imitated what the average NBA player does - constant exercise, training, and practice - I'll get into the NBA.
No more than if I imitated what the average NBA player does - constant exercise, training, and practice - I'll get into the NBA.
NWCR dieters are like NBA players, in that they're in the most successful <1% of people trying to do what they do.
You can't conclude from the success of a group of extreme outliers, that everyone else could do the same thing if they tried.
You can't conclude from the success of a group of extreme outliers, that everyone else could do the same thing if they tried.
Nor is there any great secret to how NWCR dieters lose weight. They pretty much do the same thing as everyone else on a diet - they reduce their food intake and exercise.
If that was a viable plan for most fat people, then there'd be almost no fat people.
If that was a viable plan for most fat people, then there'd be almost no fat people.
Here's my problem with Cassetty. She is a cheerleader for weight loss for fat people. But to make that case, she has to be incredibly biased, and intentionally or not she's misleading.
(The example I focus on here is just one of many examples).
(The example I focus on here is just one of many examples).
Cassetty isn't alone in this, of course. She's one of hundreds of people with the same message, and giving out the same misleading information. They can't see it any more than fish can see water, but what they write is ideology, not facts.
If a fat person wants to go on a diet to stop being fat, that's fine with me. I wish them nothing but success and happiness.
But I want them to have full information before making that decision.
But I want them to have full information before making that decision.
They should know that the vast majority of dieters, even if they lose weight, never succeed in keeping it off long-term.
They should know that the typical amount of weight lost is NOT enough to turn a fat person into a not-fat person.
They should know that the typical amount of weight lost is NOT enough to turn a fat person into a not-fat person.
(Sidebar: I could join the NWCR. I used to be 350 but I've been at 315 for years. This is true of many successful NWCR dieters - they're still fat.
Here's a photo b/c many have a false mental picture of what 315 lbs looks like. Feel free to make fun of my suspenders. :-p )
Here's a photo b/c many have a false mental picture of what 315 lbs looks like. Feel free to make fun of my suspenders. :-p )
They should know that studies have found a lot of bad health consequences for people who go on diet after diet, losing and regaining and losing (aka "weight cycling" or "yo-yo diets").
And they should know yo-yo dieting is a more common outcome than permanent weight loss.
And they should know yo-yo dieting is a more common outcome than permanent weight loss.
And pop health writers like @nutritionistsam should be helping people to know these things!
They should be trying to give fat readers a realistic picture of the odds of becoming non-fat long-term so people can make informed choices for themselves.
They should be trying to give fat readers a realistic picture of the odds of becoming non-fat long-term so people can make informed choices for themselves.
What they shouldn't be is cheerleaders for weight loss, presenting biased and misleading information so that their readers will have a hugely exaggerated idea of their likelihood of success.
That's just ideology.
(End of rant.)
That's just ideology.
(End of rant.)
P.S. For a bunch of related reading, scroll to the end of this post - lots of links there.
https://amptoons.com/blog/?p=22049
#FatLiberation #FatAcceptance #AntiDiet
https://amptoons.com/blog/?p=22049
#FatLiberation #FatAcceptance #AntiDiet
P.P.S. Oh my gosh, I just realized I forgot to link to the article the quote I was responding to came from! I hate it when people don't include a link to the source.
Anyway, here it is: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/9-things-registered-dietitian-wants-you-know-about-weight-loss-ncna777231
Anyway, here it is: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/9-things-registered-dietitian-wants-you-know-about-weight-loss-ncna777231
