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Low‐fat, high‐carbohydrate (low‐glycaemic index) diet induces weight loss and preserves lean body mass in obese healthy subjects: results of a 24‐week study
Author(s) -
Bahadori B.,
YazdaniBiuki B.,
Krippl P.,
Brath H.,
Uitz E.,
Wascher T. C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
diabetes, obesity and metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.445
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1463-1326
pISSN - 1462-8902
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2004.00445.x
Subject(s) - weight loss , medicine , body mass index , obesity , lean body mass , fat mass , low fat diet , carbohydrate , randomized controlled trial , endocrinology , zoology , body weight , biology
Background: The traditional treatment for obesity which is based on a reduced caloric diet has only been partially successful. Contributing factors are not only a poor long‐term dietary adherence but also a significant loss of lean body mass and subsequent reduction in energy expenditure. Both low‐fat, high‐carbohydrate diets and diets using low‐glycaemic index (GI) foods are capable of inducing modest weight loss without specific caloric restriction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and medium‐term effect of a low‐fat diet with high (low GI) carbohydrates on weight loss, body composition changes and dietary compliance. Methods: Obese patients were recruited from two obesity outpatient clinics. Subjects were given advise by a dietician, then they attended biweekly for 1‐hour group meetings. Bodyweight and body composition were measured at baseline and after 24 weeks. Results: One hundred and nine (91%) patients completed the study; after 24 weeks the average weight loss was 8.9 kg (98.6 vs. 89.7 kg; p ≤ 0.0001). There was a significant 15% decrease in fat mass (42.5 vs. 36.4 kg; p ≤ 0.0001) and a decrease in lean body mass of 5% (56.1 vs. 53.3 kg; p ≤ 0.0001). Discussion: In this 6‐month study, a low‐fat, low‐GI diet led to a significant reduction of fat mass; adherence to the diet was very good. Our results suggest that such a diet is feasible and should be evaluated in randomized controlled trials.