The “yo-yo” weight is a common phenomenon among women still in search of a thin ideal. But generally, the successive periods of diets are less effective and at each stop the plan, weight regain is increasingly important. A recent U.S. study  shows that also causes the decrease of “good” cholesterol, which is opposed to the fatty deposits in the arteries and protects against cardiovascular disease.

The consequence of a succession of restrictive diets too severe

If you “starve” the body adapts by reducing the metabolic energy expenditure. In a way, he learns to operate in “economic”. When the body is again sufficiently powered, there is no immediate resumption of energy expenditure but some careful storage reserves in preparation for further periods “lean”. Hence the inevitable weight regain when stopping the system, especially since the privations were so frustrating that we began to eating anything.

Adverse effects on cholesterol

While dieting in rebounds by weight, the weight is slowly but surely, the rate of “good” cholesterol, they follow the movement, but down…

The data published in the very serious Journal of the American College of Cardiology from a study of 485 women, 130 had a history of “yo-yo” weight (19% of women had at least 3 times in their lives oscillations in weight between 4.5 and 8.5 kg, 6% between 9 and 22 kg and 2% over 22 kg.). All were being examined for chest pain suggestive of coronary artery disease (narrowing by fatty deposits in coronary arteries nourishing the heart). On average, “women yo-yo” had a rate of “good” cholesterol decreased by 7% compared to those with a stable weight. On the other hand, women were also the largest those who had weight changes of the largest and had the lowest rates of “good cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, considered as playing an important cardioprotective role.

And risk of cardiovascular diseases potentially increased

If the mean difference in HDL cholesterol is minimal here (- 7%, or 4 mg / dl), it still represents a risk factor for cardiovascular significant. There is an inverse relationship between the concentration of HDL-cholesterol and the incidence of cardiovascular complications.

This study does not allow concluding a direct causal link between the “yo-yo” weight and CHD. It would be necessary for it to follow a larger number of women on a time probably long enough, arteries “fouling” fortunately slowly.

However, the authors encourage women to stabilize their weight rather than chaining scheme on plan except real problem of obesity. And in this case, only one system “smooth” allows a progressive weight loss without rebound weight.