Is it time to quit the low-fat diet?
Rethinking the low-fat diet
The effectiveness of a low-fat diet on weight-loss has been debated for decades. Now, new research finds that low-fat diets are no more successful than higher-fat diets in achieving and maintaining weight loss for periods longer than one year.
Cutting the fat
Conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), researchers reviewed data generated from randomised clinical trials that explored the efficacy of a low-fat diet.
The findings
Researchers analysed data from 53 studies with a total of 68 128 participants. The findings include the following:
- On average, participants in all groups only managed to lose and keep off 2,7 kilograms for one year or longer.
- Compared with low-fat diets, participants following low-carbohydrate diets were about 2,5 kilograms lighter at follow-up, after 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 at all.
"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."
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