Impactos da restrição alimentar severa no desenvolvimento e na manutenção da obesidade

Abstract

This study investigates how severe dietary restriction influences the development and maintenance of obesity by analyzing the physiological, hormonal, psychological, and behavioral effects triggered by extremely low-calorie diets. The research is justified by the high prevalence of obesity in Brazil and the growing number of individuals who resort to restrictive diets as a rapid weight-loss strategy. This is a narrative literature review based on articles published in the last ten years and selected from the PubMed, SciELO, and CAPES Journal Portal databases. The findings show that intense caloric deprivation triggers metabolic adaptations, such as the reduction in basal energy expenditure, that hinder weight loss and promote weight regain. Hormonal changes, including decreased leptin and increased ghrelin levels, intensify hunger and the drive for energy-dense foods, creating a physiological environment conducive to increased appetite and, consequently, weight gain. Furthermore, rigid dietary restrictions were found to contribute to loss of lean mass, binge eating, psychological distress, and repetitive cycles of weight loss and regain. It is concluded that severe diets are ineffective and potentially harmful, reinforcing the need for integrative and sustainable approaches based on moderate caloric deficit, nutrition education, psychological support, and gradual lifestyle changes.