DIET FOR OBESITY

DIET FOR OBESITY

Diets to promote weight loss are generally divided into four categories: low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie, and very low calorie. A meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials found no difference between the main diet types (low calorie, low carbohydrate, and low fat), with a 2–4 kilogram weight loss in all studies.

Low-fat diets:
Low-fat diets involve the reduction of the percentage of fat in one's diet. Calorie consumption is reduced but not purposely so. Diets of this type include NCEP Step I and II. A meta-analysis of 16 trials of 2–12 months' duration found that low-fat diets resulted in weight loss of 3.2 kg over eating as normal

Low-carbohydrate diets:
Low carbohydrate diets such as Atkins and Protein Power are relatively high in fat and protein. They are very popular in the press but are not recommended by the American Heart Association. A review of 94 trials found that weight loss was associated with increased satiety and thus decreased calorie consumption. No adverse affect from low carbohydrate diets were detected.

Low-calorie diets:
Low-calorie diets usually produce an energy deficit of 500–1000 calories per day, which can result in a 0.5 kilogram weight loss per week. They include the DASH diet and Weight Watchers among others. The National Institutes of Health reviewed 34 randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of low-calorie diets. They found that these diet lowered total body mass by 8% over 3–12 months.

Very low-calorie diets:
Very low calorie diets provide 200–800 kcal/day while maintaining protein intake and limiting calories from both fat and carbohydrates. They subject the body to starvation and produce an average weekly weight loss of 1.5–2.5 kilograms. These diets are not recommended for general use as they are associated with adverse side effects such as loss of lean muscle mass, increased risks of gout, and electrolyte imbalances. People attempting these diets must be monitored closely by a physician to prevent complications.

Sample Menu:
Breakfast:
grapefruit 1/2dry cereal 3/4 cupbanana 1/2whole wheat toast2 slicesmargarine 2 tspjelly or jam 1 Tbspskim milk 1 cup coffee 3/4 cup
Lunch:
fat free vegetable soup 1 cuplean hamburger 2 ozmozzarella cheese made with skim milk 1 ozhamburger bunsliced tomatolettucefresh fruit salad1/2 cupangel food cake1 sliceskim milk 1 cup coffee 3/4 cup
Dinner:
Tommatto juice 1/2 cupbroiled chicken breast without skin 3 ozherbed rice 1/2 cupbroccoli 1/2 cup with low fat cheese sauce 1/4 cuphard dinner rollmargarine 1 tspcarrot/raisin salad1/2 cuplow fat frozen strawberry yogurt1/2 cup skim milk 1 cup