Yoyo dieters beware: jumping from diet to diet can hurt your heart

The holidays can be a tough time to manage weight, with tasty temptations leading to added pounds and New Year's resolutions to slim down. So if you're looking to lose weight quickly, be careful: you might be doing more harm than good.

Many people are "yoyo dieters" - jumping from diet to diet, losing weight, and then gaining it back again. New research shows yoyo dieting can be dangerous, especially for older women.

Studies from the American Heart Association found postmenopausal women who yoyo diet are 3 1/2 times more likely to experience sudden cardiac death. Their risk for coronary heart disease also goes up by 66%. Researchers determined losing and re-gaining weight takes a toll on the body, especially on blood vessels and the heart.

Dietitians at CHI Health tell WOWT 6 News the best way to manage weight is the tried, true, and effective strategy: add more fruits and vegetables to your diet and add more exercise.

For more information on the study, click here: http://newsroom.heart.org/news/Xyo-yo-dieting-dangerous-even-if-youre-not-overweight