In the ultimate effort to optimize health, health diets have been created and modified time and again. The most popular are the low-fat diets which are promoted as the most effective way to lose weight. However a recent study reveals that these low-fat diets are no more effective than other types of diets.
As reported in ABC News, scientists have confirmed that low-fat diets do not lead to greater weight loss in the long term compared to other diets.
A study based in United States has been published online in the prestigious medical journal, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, today October 30. The study analyzed a massive data from 68,000 non-pregnant adults.
Lead author and an associate epidemiologist at Harvard University, Deirdre Tobias said she was not surprised with the result about low-fat diets.
"We found that low-fat diets were not more effective than higher-fat diets for long-term weight loss. There is no good evidence for recommending low-fat diets", she said.
According to Health Day, Tobias and her colleagues examined 53 published studies involving more than 68,000 adults. Indeed, those on low-fat diets did lose weight. However, those who were in low-carbohydrate diets were found to be more than 2 pounds lighter compared to those on low-fat diets checking on the participants a year after. The recorded average weight loss across all groups was 6 pounds according to the scientists.
Tobias added that the key to a successful diet is being able to stick to a specific diet pan in a long-term basis.
"Being able to stick to a diet in the long term will probably predict whether or not a diet is successful for weight loss."
The ultimate conclusion the scientists had was not to eat fatty food with abandon, rather there are varieties of weight-loss plan. There is no single diet plan that is proven as the optimal diet for weight loss.
She advised that anyone who wants to lose weight should choose a diet plan that sounds reasonable based on their preferences and cultural needs.
Low-fat diets that were used in the study ranged from very low-fat, 10 percent or less of calories from fat, to more moderate plans that allowed 30 percent or less of calories from fat.
In support, Connie Diekman, Director of University of Nutrition at Washington University in St. Louise said, "The result of this study on diet composition and weight loss seems to support results that have been observed in other studies."
"The conclusion from this, and similar studies, is that weight loss is not a result of limiting one calorie nutrient over another, and that achieving weight loss is likely a matter of calorie control, in a manner that works for the individual," she added.
So for a successful weight loss, it is advised to consult a registered dietician, add physicial activity to your diet plan and make it our long-term health goal.
