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Photo - Why dieting makes you fat
Expert Dr Alex Johnstone (Rowett Research Institute) explains  

Does dieting make you fat?

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Script

When we think of obesity, Americans often spring to mind as being the world leaders in large bottoms. But the shocking truth is that Britain is not far behind. There are many and complex reasons why this is happening, but it’s true that the majority of people who lose weight will subsequently regain the lost weight.

When we lose weight, our metabolism (the body’s engine) decreases because it’s related to the actual amount of body tissue. So less body, lower metabolism, less energy required. If after weight loss you go back to eating what you did before you started dieting, you will gain weight.

In theory, achieving weight loss is simple, consume less calories than you expend. But the reality is that we live in an 'obesogenic' environment, which promotes weight gain.

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Photo of Alex Johnstone recording his SCIENCE SNAP at Northsound

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