A light (on) diet should lose the pounds

Everyone knows that if you want to lose weight, you should eat light. But researchers have discovered that, if you really want to see those pounds slide off, you should eat with the lights on.

Two studies of 245 and 156 college undergraduates discovered that those who used the dimmer switch in the dining room were more likely to think about, and engage in, binge-eating than their peers.

However, subtle lighting had no effect on students who were less concerned about their weight and body shape.

The message is clear: to lose weight, you must throw open the curtains, put 200-watt bulbs everywhere, drag lamps to your dining seats and, if you have a few torches, train those on yourself as well (Personality and Individual Differences, January 2002).