'No health without mental health': Strict dieting may lead to anxiety, UAE doctors warn

Khaleej Times

23-06-2025

While restricting calories may help with weight loss, it can negatively impact your mental health. A growing body of evidence now links calorie restriction with symptoms of depression, prompting experts to urge caution when adopting extreme eating habits.
Clinical experts in the UAE are raising the alarm about the psychological toll of restrictive dieting. Speaking to Khaleej Times, they explained how extreme calorie control can disrupt brain chemistry, induce anxiety and low mood, and even trigger disordered eating in vulnerable individuals.
'Restrictive dieting can lead to several psychological side effects due to physiological changes and behavioural stress,' said Vibha Bajpaiee, clinical dietician at Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai.
'Common effects include increased irritability, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, which are often linked to decreased availability of mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin.'
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She explained that blood sugar fluctuations caused by insufficient energy intake may lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and emotional instability. 'Additionally, restricting food intake can elevate cortisol (the stress hormone) and disrupt hunger hormones such as leptin and ghrelin, which play a role in mood stability.'
Bajpaiee advised, 'The mind needs nourishment as much as the body. When one starves, so does the other.'
Cognitive decline
Calorie restriction interferes with brain function by causing hypoglycemia and neurotransmitter depletion, Dr Amir Javaid, consultant psychiatrist at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi, said. 'There is some evidence to suggest that a restrictive diet can result in nutritional deficiencies, accompanied by low levels of serotonin and dopamine, which further contribute to mood disturbances,' he said.
He warned that early symptoms such as low energy, irritability, crying spells, and even fleeting suicidal thoughts could indicate a dangerous mental health impact. 'It is essential to be vigilant and seek professional help early.'
'There is no health without mental health,' Dr Javaid added.
Strict diets often bring about more than just mood changes — they may lead to obsessive thinking and social isolation. According to Hussn Saleh Alhammami, nutritionist at Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi, 'irritability, anxiety, and social withdrawal are common outcomes, especially when people become overly focused on eating rules.'
She noted that teenagers, women, and athletes are especially vulnerable due to performance pressures and hormonal sensitivity. 'Constant comparison to unrealistic beauty standards can damage self-esteem and push individuals toward harmful eating behaviors.'
'Supportive environments that value well-being over appearance can foster emotional resilience,' said Alhammami.
A state of chronic stress
Rawan Muhanna, clinical dietitian at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, explained that severe calorie restriction triggers the body's stress response.
'The brain perceives this as starvation, increasing cortisol levels and disturbing neurotransmitter balance.'
She said this can impair concentration, sleep, and decision-making while also increasing the risk of binge eating. 'The cycle of deprivation and guilt can significantly lower self-worth and life satisfaction,' she added.
Muhanna noted that healthy weight loss is possible without harming mental health, 'But it requires rejecting perfectionism and embracing self-compassion.'
Beyond the plate
Experts recommend including mental health checks in any weight loss or diet programme, urging regular emotional screenings to detect signs of distress before they escalate.
Instead of calorie counting, experts recommend intuitive eating, making mindful food choices, and adopting a balanced lifestyle that includes enjoyable physical activity, sufficient sleep, and effective stress management.
The role of friends and family is also crucial. All experts agree that loved ones should offer non-judgmental support, encourage professional help, and shift conversations away from body image or weight.
As dieting becomes increasingly common among young people influenced by social media trends, experts warn against following extreme regimens without understanding the psychological consequences.