"New research shows dieting raises levels of hormones that stimulate appetite — and lowers levels of hormones that suppress it. Meanwhile, brain scans reveal that weight loss makes it harder for us to exercise self-control and resist tempting food. Worse still, the more people diet, the stronger these effects can become, leaving some almost doomed to being overweight as a result of their attempts to become slim. And as research lays bare the dangers of yo-yoing weight, some experts argue it would be better not to diet at all."

"It's not a big deal. It's not going to make me a cupcake addict. In fact, it could be helpful. It might push me off sweets for a while." -Brooklyn resident and aspiring competitive eater Megan Daum looks at the long-term health benefits of forcing 24 chocolate cupcakes down her gullet during a 12-minute timespan in a all-amateur cupcake-eating contest scheduled for this weekend in Bay Ridge. [Pic via]