Scientific View
"Fad diet" is a term of popular media, not science. Some so-called fad diets may make pseudo-scientific claims, but others labeled "fad" are based on science. According to one definition, fad diets claim to be scientific but do not follow the scientific method in establishing their validity. Among the scientific shortcomings of the claims made in support of fad diets:
- not being open to revisions, whereas real science is
- observations that prompt explanations are used as evidence of the validity of the explanation
The term "fad diet" has been pulled into the debate in the scientific community over the physiology of weight gain and loss. It has been used by proponents of established views to refute claims of non-traditional methods of weight loss such as low-carbohydrate diets. Some researchers hold to the established belief that weight loss is strictly a function of a reduction in caloric intake, and that no other strategy can help dieters achieve long term weight loss.
Read more about this topic: Food Faddism
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