“Guess Who?” in the Creation of Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Diets through History

Abstract

The relationship between obesity and weight loss treatments has run parallel throughout history; however, not all diets are suitable for improving one’s health. This review aims to categorize diets according to the new classification of hazardous diets established in 2021. A search was conducted across grey, white, and black literature. The results reveal a study of 179 diets, of which 35 are effective, while the rest are hazardous to health. Looking at the geographical distribution of these diets, the USA, the UK, and Greece dominate the top three spots. The geographic distribution of diets is linked to cultural and environmental factors, with influencers often playing a predominant role. Additionally, the lack of legislative oversight on emerging diets is a noteworthy concern, highlighting the need for regulatory measures to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals engaging in such dietary practices. Regarding the creators of these weight loss treatments, it is noteworthy that only 7.8% are nutrition specialists, all of whom fall under the effective diets category. This demonstrates that healthy treatments and nutritionists are the best combination for losing weight and improving health.