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Dietary intake, characteristics, and attitudes of self‐reported low‐carbohydrate dieters
Author(s) -
Collins Courtney B,
Winham Donna M,
Hutchins Andrea M,
Salbe Arline D
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a575-c
Subject(s) - liquid crystal display , carbohydrate , body mass index , medicine , waist , food science , zoology , chemistry , biology , materials science , optoelectronics
The study objective was to compare the dietary intakes, characteristics, and attitudes of post‐menopausal women who reportedly followed low‐carbohydrate diets (LCD) to control subjects (CS). Utilizing a cross‐sectional study design, data were obtained by interview, questionnaire, direct measurement, and 24‐hour recall using the multiple‐pass method. Data from 14 women in the LCD group and 15 women in the CS group were used in analysis. Results showed that there were no differences between the groups in age, body mass index, fat free mass, or waist to hip ratio. LCD consumed the same amount of total energy and protein as a percentage of total energy, but consumed significantly more fat as a percentage of total energy (46.0% LCD vs. 33.0% CS, p=0.003) and cholesterol (333 mg LCD vs. 123 mg CS, p=0.007), and significantly less carbohydrate as a percentage of total energy (33.4% LCD vs. 47.4% CS, p=0.003) and fiber (12.1 g LCD vs. 22.3 g CS, p=0.001) than CS. Despite the lower carbohydrate intake in LCD, only 28.6% of these subjects were in ketogenic states. CS scored significantly better than LCD on the Healthy Eating Index (58.2 points LCD vs. 70.4 points CS, p=0.012). More LCD than CS reported engaging in physical activity on a regular basis (59.1% LCD vs. 40.9% CS, p=0.039). CS reported more favorable attitude scores towards foods that contain carbohydrates than LCD (‐2.5 LCD vs. 1.5 CS, p=0.043). In conclusion, LCD do not consume healthy diets and most do not actually consume low‐carbohydrate diets. Research support was provided in part by a the Faculty Grant in Aid program at Arizona State University.