title: Comparison of a low-fat, ad libitum complex-carbohydrate diet with a low-energy diet in moderately obese women.
abstract: This study compared the effect of a low-fat, ad libitum, complex-carbohydrate (LFAL) diet with a low-energy (LE) diet on weight loss over 6 mo in moderately obese women. Weight loss was 4.4 kg in the LFAL (n = 47) and 3.8 kg in the LE (n = 42) participants. The difference was not statistically significant. The LFAL participants decreased percent energy from fat by 13%, increased percent energy from carbohydrate by 11.4%, and reduced energy intake by 1654 kJ. The corresponding values in the LE group were 3.8%, 3.5%, and 1991 kJ, respectively. Changes in fat and carbohydrate energy were significantly different by treatment (P < 0.0001). Palatability, satiety, and quality of life (QOL) improved in the LFAL group but diminished in the LE group. Palatability and QOL changes were significantly different by treatment (P < 0.029 and P < 0.048, respectively). It is concluded that an LFAL diet can result in substantial weight loss and is associated with improved palatability and QOL compared with an LE diet.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baxter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012527:Satiation; D013649:Taste; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats