Stewart TM, Martin CK, Williamson DA. The Complicated Relationship between Dieting, Dietary Restraint, Caloric Restriction, and Eating Disorders: Is a Shift in Public Health Messaging Warranted? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jan 3;19(1):491. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19010491. PMID: 35010751; PMCID: PMC8745028.
From the conclusion: Results of controlled trials of intensive lifestyle interventions for weight management in adults, weight gain prevention, and eating disorder prevention in young people have failed to support the hypotheses of harmful effects caused by intent to diet or actual caloric restriction. Thus, neither the intention to diet nor actual caloric restriction appears to reliably result in ED development. Rather, the results of these studies have consistently shown that healthy eating, exercise, and appropriate energy balance behaviors, without the promotion of negative body image, shaming or stigma, can be safe and effective for the enhancement of physical and mental health. [Emphasis added.]