Researchers conduct a systematic review of randomized
clinical trials comparing the long-term effectiveness of low-fat and higher-fat
dietary interventions on weight loss
Date : 29 October,2015
Source : Brigham and Women's Hospital
Summary : The effectiveness of low-fat diet on
weight-loss has been debated for decades, and hundreds of randomized clinical
trials aimed at evaluating this issue have been conducted with mixed results.
New research finds that low-fat interventions were no more successful than
higher-fat interventions in achieving and maintaining weight loss for periods
longer than one year.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of the data
generated from randomized clinical trials that explored the efficacy of a
low-fat diet and found that low-fat interventions were no more successful than
higher-fat interventions in achieving and maintaining weight loss for periods
longer than one year.
Credit: © alexkich / Fotolia
The effectiveness of low-fat diet on weight-loss has been
debated for decades, and hundreds of randomized clinical trials aimed at
evaluating this issue have been conducted with mixed results. Researchers from
Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public
Health (HSPH) conducted a comprehensive review of the data generated from
randomized clinical trials that explored the efficacy of a low-fat diet and
found that low-fat interventions were no more successful than higher-fat
interventions in achieving and maintaining weight loss for periods longer than
one year.
These results are published in The Lancet Diabetes
& Endocrinology on October 30, 2015.
"Despite the pervasive dogma that one needs to cut
fat from their diet in order to lose weight, the existing scientific evidence
does not support low-fat diets over other dietary interventions for long-term
weight loss," said Deirdre Tobias, ScD, a researcher in the Division of
Preventive Medicine at BWH. "In fact, we did not find evidence that is
particularly supportive of any specific proportion of calories from fat for
meaningful long-term weight loss. We need to look beyond the ratios of calories
from fat, carbs, and protein to a discussion of healthy eating patterns, whole
foods, and portion sizes. Finding new ways to improve diet adherence for the
long-term and preventing weight gain in the first place are important
strategies for maintaining a healthy weight."
In this meta analysis of randomized clinical trials
comparing the long term effect (longer than one year) of low-fat and higher-fat
dietary interventions, researchers analyzed data from 53 studies with a total
of 68,128 participants that were designed to measure the difference in weight
change between two groups that had a dietary intervention (low-fat or other
diet). Trials that included dietary supplements or meal replacement drinks were
excluded from the analysis. On average, trial participants across all
intervention groups only managed to lose and keep off six pounds at one year or
longer. Compared with low-fat diets, participants in low-carbohydrate weight
loss interventions were about two and a half pounds lighter after follow-up of
at least one year. Researchers also report that low-fat diets led to a greater
weight loss only when compared to 'usual diet' in which participants did not
change their eating habits.
"Current evidence indicates that clinically
meaningful weight loss can be achieved with a variety of dietary
approaches," said Frank Hu, senior author of the paper and Professor of
Nutrition and Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
"The key is to improve long-term compliance and cardiometabolic health.
Therefore, weight loss diets should be tailored to cultural and food
preferences and health conditions of the individual and should also consider long-term
health consequences of the diets."
This research was funded by the National Institutes of
Health (DK082730, HL34594, HL60712, CA176726, DK58845, DK46200, DK103720, and
CA155626) and the American Diabetes Association.
Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided
byBrigham and Women's Hospital. Note: Materials may be edited for content
and length.
Journal Reference:
Dr Deirdre K Tobias et al. Effect of low-fat diet
interventions versus other diet interventions on long-term weight change in
adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Diabetes &
Endocrinology, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00367-8
