Social Experiment: Life Cycle of a Fad Diet

A fad is a temporary craze. People use the phrase "fad diet" to imply that a diet is nutritionally unbalanced - but the word fad doesn't necessarily mean that.

What is the life cycle of a fad diet?

Stage I - Cautious Optimism
People find out about the diet - it's like an urban myth and promises fantastic results. At this stage people are wary and asking if it's for real.

Stage II - Unbridled Enthusiasm
The dieter embarks on the new diet and sees instant results - everybody is talking - and there is a buzz in the air.

Stage III - Creeping Disillusionment
The weight loss is beginning to slow down. People are asking themselves "Can I really eat like this forever?"

Stage IV - Diet History
The diet is confined to history - shelved for a rainy day - or consigned to the rubbish bin.

Stage V - Rebound
After enduring the diet for a period of days or weeks, the dieter returns to the typical eating patterns, and most of the weight comes back on. It's at this point where a pattern can begin, and the dieter can blame themselves or the diet.

These stages have been observed in the forums. A number of people have been following the Fat Loss 4 Idiots (formerly Weight Loss 4 Idiots) diet. I set up the forums for this diet after a number of blog commenters requested such a forum.

To my disappointment - many of the above stages were played out - typically in a period of about 3-4 weeks. Even the most exuberant optimists ended up falling prey to the later stages. What was most astonishing was the speed of progression through the different stages. I find myself wondering what happened to all the people who were so positive and so focused - I hope they are still working towards healthy fat loss.

The weight loss industry truly thrives on a sales-pitch of instant gratification.