Diets with group support may help keep weight off longer

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Public release date: 1-Jun-2006

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-06/bmj-dwg053106.php

Contact: Emma Dickinson

edickinson@...

44-

BMJ-British Medical Journal

Diets with group support may help keep weight off longer

Randomised controlled trial of four commercial weight loss programmes in

the UK: Initial findings from the BBC 'diet trials;' BMJ Volume 332, pp

1309-11

Commercial diets are a useful way to lose weight. And those based on

group support seem to fare better at keeping the weight off in the long

term, finds a study in this week's BMJ.

Please note, this paper was published on bmj.com on 23 May 2006, so is

not under embargo.

Researchers compared the effectiveness of four popular commercial weight

loss programmes with a control group. The study was sponsored by the BBC

as part of its reality TV series, BBC Diet Trials.

The diets were the Slim-Fast Plan (a meal replacement approach), Weight

Watchers pure points programme (an energy controlled diet with weekly

group meetings), Dr Atkins' new diet revolution (a self-monitored low

carbohydrate eating plan), and Rosemary Conley's eat yourself slim diet

and fitness plan (a low fat diet and weekly exercise class). The control

group was asked to maintain their current diet and exercise pattern.

Weight and body fat changes were monitored over six months and dieting

behaviour was checked again at 12 months.

After six months, all diets resulted in significant loss of body fat and

weight compared to the control group. Average weight loss was 5.9 kg and

average fat loss was 4.4. kg (5-10% of body weight). The Atkins diet

resulted in significantly higher weight loss during the first four

weeks, but by the end, was no more or less effective than the other diets.

There were no significant differences in cardiac risk factors between

the diet groups and the control group. The Atkins diet did not lead to

substantial increases in cholesterol levels.

At 12 months, 158 participants (54% of the original sample) returned

data. Only 58 (45%) were still keeping to their allocated diets (nine to

Atkins, 20 to Weight Watchers, nine to Slim-Fast, 20 to Rosemary

Conley). More participants in the unsupported programmes (Atkins diet

and Slim-Fast) withdrew from the study than in the supported group based

programmes, and weight rebound after the initial six months was higher

in the unsupported programmes.

The authors conclude that clinically useful weight loss and fat loss can

be achieved in adults who are motivated to follow commercial diets for a

substantial period. People need to find a diet that best suits them.

" Our study provides data on how much weight patients can expect to lose

by dieting, " they write. " These data could help practitioners in

managing patients' expectations of weight loss targets. "

An accompanying editorial suggests that the challenge to researchers is

to take weight loss studies to the next level by evaluating long term

health outcomes, cost effectiveness, and novel strategies of improving

adherence and weight maintenance.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

" Ask the Parkinson Dietitian " http://www.parkinson.org/

" Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease "

" Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy "

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