Dietary energy density in the treatment of obesity: a year-long trial comparing 2 weight-loss diets.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Consuming foods low in energy density (kcal/g) decreases energy intake over several days, but the effectiveness of this strategy for weight loss has not been tested.

OBJECTIVE:

The effects on weight loss of 2 strategies for reducing the energy density of the diet were compared over 1 y.

DESIGN:

Obese women (n = 97) were randomly assigned to groups counseled either to reduce their fat intake (RF group) or to reduce their fat intake and increase their intake of water-rich foods, particularly fruit and vegetables (RF+FV group). No goals for energy or fat intake were assigned; the subjects were instructed to eat ad libitum amounts of food while following the principles of their diet.

RESULTS:

After 1 y, study completers (n = 71) in both groups had significant decreases in body weight (P < 0.0001). Subjects in the RF+FV group, however, had a significantly different pattern of weight loss (P = 0.002) than did subjects in the RF group. After 1 y, the RF+FV group lost 7.9 +/- 0.9 kg and the RF group lost 6.4 +/- 0.9 kg. Analysis of all randomly assigned subjects also showed a different pattern of weight loss between groups (P = 0.021). Diet records indicated that both groups had similar reductions in fat intake. The RF+FV group, however, had a lower dietary energy density than did the RF group (P = 0.019) as the result of consuming a greater weight of food (P = 0.025), especially fruit and vegetables (P = 0.037). The RF+FV group also reported less hunger (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION:

Reducing dietary energy density, particularly by combining increased fruit and vegetable intakes with decreased fat intake, is an effective strategy for managing body weight while controlling hunger.

• Authors: Julia A Ello-Martin, Liane S Roe, Jenny H Ledikwe, Amanda M Beach, Barbara J Rolls
• Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 85 Issue 6 Pg. 1465-77 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 0002-9165 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17556681 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Dietary Fats

Topics

• Adult
• Diet, Reducing
• Dietary Fats (administration & dosage)
• Energy Intake
• Exercise
• Female
• Fruit
• Humans
• Hunger
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (diet therapy, physiopathology)
• Patient Satisfaction
• Vegetables
• Weight Loss