Diet (weight loss)

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

[edit intro]

Diets may be used in the treatment of obesity.

## Contents

* 1 Descriptions of common diets
* 2 Evidence for effectiveness
* 2.1 Carbohydrate-restricted (low carbohydrate) versus fat-restricted (low fat) diets
* 2.2 Low glycemic index and low glycemic load diets
* 2.3 High versus standard protein
* 3 References

## Descriptions of common diets[edit]

Descriptions of common diets  Diet | Description

|

American Heart Association diet[1] | low fat
Dr Atkins' diet | Carbohydrate-restricted
initially < 20 g of carbohydrate daily, subsequently 50 g/day
LEARN diet | low fat
Mediterranean diet[2] | moderate-fat (<35% of calories) emphasizing monounsaturated fats
Ornish diet | vegetarian, low fat
Rosemary Conley | low-fat and social support
Slim-Fast plan | low glycemic index
SouthBeach diet plan | Carbohydrate-restricted; meal replacement
Weight Watchers | balanced diet with social support
Zone diet | low-carbohydrate diet
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in 40:30:30 ratio

The United States of America Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture jointly recommend:[3]

* "Keep total fat intake between 20 to 35 percent of calories."
* "Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids"
* "Less than 300 mg/day of cholesterol"
* "Keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible"
* "The Average Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for carbohydrates is 45 to 65 percent of total calories."
* "The recommended dietary fiber intake is 14 grams per 1,000 calories consumed."

MyPyramid.gov offer online dietary support at http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/.

## Evidence for effectiveness[edit]

In a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials that compared low fat versus low carbohydrate diets, low fat diets achieved greater reduction in low density lipoprotein but less weight loss and less increase in high density lipoprotein.[4]

Major randomized controlled trials of commercial weight loss programs with outcomes at one year* using BOCF†[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Study | Intervention | Results (kg) | Comments

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|

Intervention | Control
Heshka et al[5]
2003 | Weight Watchers | 4.3 | 1.3 |
Dansinger et al[6]
2005 | Weight Watchers
Others | 3.0 | NA
(no control group) |
A to Z Weight Loss Study
Gardner et al[7]
2007 | Atkins
Others
• 2 months | 4.7 | 2.2
(Zone) |
Rock et al[8]
2010 | Jenny Craig plus center-based counseling | 10.1 | 2.4 | 7.4 kg in intervention group after two years
Lighten Up
Jolly et al[9]
2011 | Weight Watchers
Others
• 3 months | 3.5 | 2.0 |
Jebb et al[10]
2011 | Weight Watchers
Others
• 12 months | 4.1 | 1.8 |
* Excluded BBC diet trials which only lasted six months.[11] However, BBC noted, "higher discontinuation rates for the Atkins and Ornish diet groups."
† BOCF. Baseline observation carried forward.

Randomized controlled trials by the Practice-based Opportunities for Weight Reduction (POWER) Trials Collaborative Research Group. Results at two years using BOCF†.[12] [13] [14] Study | Intervention | Results at two years (kg) | Comments

|
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Intervention | Control
POWER-UP
Appel et al[13]
2011 |  | In person support: 5.1
Remote support: 4.6 | 0.8 |
POWER-Hopkins
Wadden et al[14]
2010 | Brief Lifestyle Counseling plus either meal replacements or weight loss medication (enhanced) | Enhanced Brief Lifestyle Counseling: 4.6
Brief Lifestyle Counseling: 2.9 | 1.7 |
The Be Fit, Be Well (BFBW)
Colditz et al
NCT00661817 Not published | Lifestyle Modification Program |  |  |
* BOCF. Baseline observation carried forward.

Various alternative dietary approaches have been proposed, some of which have been compared by randomized controlled trials:

* A comparison of varying fat and protein levels found no difference on weight loss.[15] The lowest-carbohydrate group had a slightly better improvement in the HDL.

### Carbohydrate-restricted (low carbohydrate) versus fat-restricted (low fat) diets[edit]

Many studies have focused on diets that reduce calories via a low-carbohydrate (Atkins diet, South Beach diet, Zone diet) diet (< 20-30 grams/day of carbohydrate) versus a low-fat diet (LEARN diet, Ornish diet). The Nurses' Health Study, an observational cohort study, found that low carbohydrate diets based on vegetable sources of fat and protein are associated with less coronary heart disease.[16]

A comparison of three diets: 1) low-fat, restricted-calorie; 2) Mediterranean, restricted-calorie; or 3) low-carbohydrate, non-restricted-calorie found:[17]

* Least weight loss occurred in the low-fat, restricted-calorie group
* More favorable effects on lipids with the low-carbohydrate diet
* More favorable effects on glycemic control with the Mediterranean diet

A meta-analysis that included older randomized controlled trials[18][19][6] (but not the two more recent studies above) found:[20]

"low-carbohydrate, non-energy-restricted diets appear to be at least as effective as low-fat, energy-restricted diets in inducing weight loss for up to 1 year. However, potential favorable changes in triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values should be weighed against potential unfavorable changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values when low-carbohydrate diets to induce weight loss are considered."

An older meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2002 concluded[21] that fat-restricted diets are no better than calorie restricted diets in achieving long term weight loss in overweight or obese people.

The Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial[22] found that a diet of total fat to 20% of energy and increasing consumption of vegetables and fruit to at least 5 servings daily and grains to at least 6 servings daily:

* no reduction in cardiovascular disease[23]
* an insignificant reduction in invasive breast cancer[24]
* no reductions in colorectal cancer[25]

In other randomized controlled trials, a comparison of Atkins, Zone diet, Ornish diet, and LEARN diet in premenopausal women found the greatest benefit from the Atkins diet.[7]

The choice of diet for a specific person may be influenced by measuring the individual's insulin secretion:

In young adults "Reducing glycemic [carbohydrate] load may be especially important to achieve weight loss among individuals with high insulin secretion."[26] This is consistent with prior studies of diabetic patients in which low carbohydrate diets were more beneficial.[27][28]

### Low glycemic index and low glycemic load diets[edit]

For more information, see: glycemic index.

A meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded that low glycemic index or low glycemic load diets led to more weight loss and better lipid profiles. However, the Cochrane Collaboration grouped low glycemic index and low glycemic load diets together and did not try to separate the effects of the load versus the index.[29]

A randomized controlled trial that compared four diets that varied in carbohydrate amount and glycemic index found complicated results[30]:

* Diet 1 and 2 were high carbohydrate (55% of total energy intake)
* Diet 1 was high-glycemic index
* Diet 2 was low-glycemic index
* Diet 3 and 4 were high protein (25% of total energy intake)
* Diet 3 was high-glycemic index
* Diet 4 was low-glycemic index

Diets 2 and 3 lost the most weight and fat mass; however, low density lipoprotein fell in Diet 2 and rose in Diet 3. Thus the authors concluded that the high-carbohydrate, low-glycemic index diet was the most favorable.

### High versus standard protein[edit]

There was no difference from amount of protein according to a randomized controlled trial.[31]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Krauss RM, Eckel RH, Howard B, et al (October 2000). "AHA Dietary Guidelines: revision 2000: A statement for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association". Circulation 102 (18): 2284–99. PMID 11056107. [e]
2. ↑ (2005) Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy : The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating. New York: Free Press. LCC RA784 .W635. ISBN 0-7432-6642-0.
3. ↑ Key Recommendations for the General Population, Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. United States Department of Agriculture (2005). Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
4. ↑ Mansoor N, Vinknes KJ, Veierød MB, Retterstøl K (2016). "Effects of low-carbohydrate diets v. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.". Br J Nutr 115 (3): 466-79. DOI:10.1017/S0007114515004699. PMID 26768850. Research Blogging.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Heshka S, Anderson JW, Atkinson RL, Greenway FL, Hill JO, Phinney SD et al. (2003). "Weight loss with self-help compared with a structured commercial program: a randomized trial.". JAMA 289 (14): 1792-8. DOI:10.1001/jama.289.14.1792. PMID 12684357. Research Blogging.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Dansinger ML, Gleason JA, Griffith JL, Selker HP, Schaefer EJ (2005). "Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone diets for weight loss and heart disease risk reduction: a randomized trial.". JAMA 293 (1): 43-53. DOI:10.1001/jama.293.1.43. PMID 15632335. Research Blogging. Review in: J Fam Pract. 2005 Apr;54(4):306
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Gardner CD, Kiazand A, Alhassan S, Kim S, Stafford RS, Balise RR et al. (2007). "Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets for change in weight and related risk factors among overweight premenopausal women: the A TO Z Weight Loss Study: a randomized trial.". JAMA 297 (9): 969-77. DOI:10.1001/jama.297.9.969. PMID 17341711. Research Blogging. Review in: J Fam Pract. 2007 Jun;56(6):434 Review in: Evid Based Med. 2007 Oct;12(5):138 Review in: Evid Based Nurs. 2007 Oct;10(4):111
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Rock CL, Flatt SW, Sherwood NE, Karanja N, Pakiz B, Thomson CA (2010). "Effect of a free prepared meal and incentivized weight loss program on weight loss and weight loss maintenance in obese and overweight women: a randomized controlled trial.". JAMA 304 (16): 1803-10. DOI:10.1001/jama.2010.1503. PMID 20935338. Research Blogging.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Jolly K, Lewis A, Beach J, Denley J, Adab P, Deeks JJ et al. (2011). "Comparison of range of commercial or primary care led weight reduction programmes with minimal intervention control for weight loss in obesity: Lighten Up randomised controlled trial.". BMJ 343: d6500. DOI:10.1136/bmj.d6500. PMID 22053315. PMC PMC3208022. Research Blogging.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Jebb SA, Ahern AL, Olson AD, Aston LM, Holzapfel C, Stoll J et al. (2011). "Primary care referral to a commercial provider for weight loss treatment versus standard care: a randomised controlled trial.". Lancet 378 (9801): 1485-92. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61344-5. PMID 21906798. Research Blogging.
11. ↑ Truby H et al. (2006). "Randomised controlled trial of four commercial weight loss programmes in the UK: initial findings from the BBC "diet trials"". BMJ 332: 1309-14. DOI:10.1136/bmj.38833.411204.80. PMID 16720619. Research Blogging.
12. ↑ Yeh HC, Clark JM, Emmons KE, Moore RH, Bennett GG, Warner ET et al. (2010). "Independent but coordinated trials: insights from the practice-based Opportunities for Weight Reduction Trials Collaborative Research Group.". Clin Trials 7 (4): 322-32. DOI:10.1177/1740774510374213. PMID 20573639. Research Blogging.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Appel LJ, Clark JM, Yeh HC, Wang NY, Coughlin JW, Daumit G et al. (2011). "Comparative Effectiveness of Weight-Loss Interventions in Clinical Practice.". N Engl J Med. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa1108660. PMID 22085317. Research Blogging.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Wadden TA, Volger S, Sarwer DB, Vetter ML, Tsai AG, Berkowitz RI et al. (2011). "A Two-Year Randomized Trial of Obesity Treatment in Primary Care Practice.". N Engl J Med. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa1109220. PMID 22082239. Research Blogging.
15. ↑ Sacks et al. Comparison of Weight-Loss Diets with Different Compositions of Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates. N Engl J Med 2009. PMID 19246357
16. ↑ Halton TL et al. (2006). "Low-carbohydrate-diet score and the risk of coronary heart disease in women". N Engl J Med 355: 1991-2002. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa055317. PMID 17093250. Research Blogging.
17. ↑ Shai I et al. (2008). "Weight loss with a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or low-fat diet". N Engl J Med 359: 229–41. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa0708681. PMID 18635428. Research Blogging.
18. ↑ Samaha FF et al. (2003). "A low-carbohydrate as compared with a low-fat diet in severe obesity". N Engl J Med 348: 2074–81. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa022637. PMID 12761364. Research Blogging.
19. ↑ Foster GD et al. (2003). "A randomized trial of a low-carbohydrate diet for obesity". N Engl J Med 348: 2082–90. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa022207. PMID 12761365. Research Blogging.
20. ↑ Nordmann AJ et al. (2006). "Effects of low-carbohydrate vs low-fat diets on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials". Arch Intern Med 166: 285-93. DOI:10.1001/archinte.166.3.285. PMID 16476868. Research Blogging.
21. ↑ Pirozzo S et al. (2002). "Advice on low-fat diets for obesity". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online): CD003640. PMID 12076496. [e]
22. ↑ Howard BV et al. (2006). "Low-fat dietary pattern and weight change over 7 years: the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial". JAMA 295: 39-49. DOI:10.1001/jama.295.1.39. PMID 16391215. Research Blogging.
23. ↑ Howard BV et al. (2006). "Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of cardiovascular disease: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial". JAMA 295: 655-66. DOI:10.1001/jama.295.6.655. PMID 16467234. Research Blogging.
24. ↑ Prentice RL et al. (2006). "Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of invasive breast cancer: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial". JAMA 295 (6): 629-42. DOI:10.1001/jama.295.6.629. PMID 16467232. Research Blogging.
25. ↑ Beresford SA et al. (2006). "Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of colorectal cancer: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial". JAMA 295: 643-54. DOI:10.1001/jama.295.6.643. PMID 16467233. Research Blogging.
26. ↑ Ebbeling CB et al. (2007). "Effects of a low-glycemic load vs low-fat diet in obese young adults: a randomized trial". JAMA 297: 2092-102. DOI:10.1001/jama.297.19.2092. PMID 17507345. Research Blogging.
27. ↑ Stern et al. (2004). "The effects of low-carbohydrate versus conventional weight loss diets in severely obese adults: one-year follow-up of a randomized trial". Ann Intern Med 140: 778–85. PMID 15148064. [e]
28. ↑ Garg A et al. (1994). "Effects of varying carbohydrate content of diet in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus". JAMA 271: 1421–8. PMID 7848401. [e]
29. ↑ Thomas DE, Elliott E, Baur L (2007). "Low glycaemic index or low glycaemic load diets for overweight and obesity". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online): CD005105. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD005105.pub2. PMID 17636786. Research Blogging.
30. ↑ McMillan-Price J et al. (2006). "Comparison of 4 diets of varying glycemic load on weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction in overweight and obese young adults: a randomized controlled trial". Arch Intern Med 166: 1466-75. DOI:10.1001/archinte.166.14.1466. PMID 16864756. Research Blogging.
31. ↑ Treyzon L, Chen S, Hong K, et al (August 2008). "A controlled trial of protein enrichment of meal replacements for weight reduction with retention of lean body mass". Nutr J 7 (1): 23. DOI:10.1186/1475-2891-7-23. PMID 18752682. Research Blogging.