in fact I wasn’t referring to a 1960s study although I concede others may. I researched it myself and looked at the work of Dr Traci Mann, a psychology professor from UCLA. A full explanation of the study is here

https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2018/05/calorie-deprivation

But here’s a key quote:

I did a painstaking review of every randomized controlled trial of diets we could find that included a follow-up of at least two years (Mann et al., 2007). Janet Tomiyama, Britt Ahlstrom, and I updated it in 2013 with studies we had missed, as well as newer ones (Tomiyama, Ahlstrom, & Mann, 2013). The results were clear. Although dieters in the studies had lost weight in the first nine to 12 months, over the next two to five years, they had gained back all but an average of 2.1 of those pounds. Participants in the non-dieting waitlist control groups gained weight during those same years, but an average of just 1.2 pounds.

I agree some members of the fat activism community ignore ideas that do not support their beliefs, I’m not one of them. I actually wrote a 3 part series on my blog and here on medium about the flaws within the body positivity movement. I value evidence and facts over snake oil and wishful thinking.

What I will say is that fatphobia and a learned hatred of my body has had a profound psychological effect on me for the majority of my life. I am now prioritising my mental health. I’m eating food that my body craves be that ice cream or asparagus. I move in a way that I enjoy and refuse to use exercise solely as a way to lose weight. I don’t understand why that goes over so badly with people. I want to be treated with respect and dignity. I want that for everyone regardless who they are. Is it really that radical a thing to say?