A recent study has found that teens who diet are more likely to gain weight than those who do not attempt weight loss at a young age. The research, published in this month’s edition of the Journal of American Dietetic Association revealed that both adolescent boys and girls who tried dieting were more likely avoid healthy foods and were prone to binge eating.

Researchers polled approximately 2,500 teens in 1999 and 2000 for Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) and again in 2003 and 2004. They found that girls who dieted often skipped breakfast and ended up binge eating when they became hungry. They also consumed fewer fruits and vegetables while on a diet. Boys, on the other hand, also binged while dieting, ate fewer breakfasts and stopped participating in physical activities. Both boys and girls saw increases in body mass indexes.

Unfortunately, when it comes to dieting many adolescents think that eating less will cause them to lose weight. They often skip important meals, which causes their bodies to kick into survival mode. When they binge the body grabs hold of all the fat and calories and stores them. This causes weight gain. What young people need to understand is that a balanced diet void of fatty junk food combined with regular exercise is all they need to maintain a healthy weight.