There is lack of data concerning the effect of diet and diet restrictions on stretch marks. Eighty women aged 24 to 53 participated in a 3-month weight-loss program; 29 were on a diet, 31 were on a diet plus aerobic exercise program, and 20 obese women were on a diet plus a resistance exercise program. The data suggested that the degree of SD does not change with weight loss, regardless of the type of weight loss program. SD were prevalent in 79% of the women. The central abdomen was the most common area where SD were present. No significant correlation existed between SD and the number of births, the age of the first birth, weight immediately before pregnancy, weight immediately after pregnancy, or weight at age 20. Forty-five percent of the participants responded that they did not have negative feelings about having SD, and it appeared that SD did not affect the women's psychological mood. It was inferred that a weight loss program using diet alone or a combination of diet and exercise did not change the degree of SD. Further studies are required to establish a clear effect of diet and exercise on SD.24