Study: Do celebrity diets really work?

Companies often use celebrities to endorse their products and value to different weight loss programs.

But a survey of more than 2,500 Americans has found that most people do not think that having someone famous to promote a product actually means that it will work or is suitable for everyone.

"While Americans feel optimistic at the start of their diets, the staggering rates of obesity in our country belies their perceived success," asserted Dr David Katz, who participated in the research project.

Dr Katz said that people are usually highly motivated when they begin a new healthy eating plan, but have difficulty maintaining these initiatives.

"People start off with the best intentions, but the diets and the diet foods themselves may be setting them up for failure in the long run. Some diets may leave bodies in worse states than before they were started," he said.

With this in mind, it may be time for dieters to look at different ways to ensure that they lose weight and do not pile the kilos back on after they finish the program.

Eating the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables per day, as well as taking a long term approach toward weight loss may yield better results.

Posted by Juliette Pemberton