In the end, all this dieting is not terribly effective in keeping the pounds off. Ninety-five percent of all dieters will regain their lost weight in one to five years. Nutritionists will tell you that temporary, unsustainable measures, such as fad diets and compulsive exercise, work only temporarily. To achieve and sustain a healthy weight requires a change in lifestyle that includes a varied and interesting diet and adequate exercise and rest. As with most things in life, the key to sustained health and happiness is balance.
People use food for all kinds of reasons beyond fueling the body.
It is used as a substance to provide emotional comfort, stress reduction, as a mood stabilizer, even as an element of control over oneself or others. Thus, in attempting to strike a balance, it makes sense to attend to our emotional and spiritual well-being as well. Effective treatments for eating disorders address the body, mind and emotions through a combination of individual, group and family therapy, nutritional counseling, anti-depressant medication and education. Recovery is often a long process and relapse is not uncommon. Continued support and ongoing monitoring of diet and exercise is important.