Randomized, multi-center trial of two hypo-energetic diets in obese subjects: high- versus low-fat content.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether a hypo-energetic low-fat diet is superior to a hypo-energetic high-fat diet for the treatment of obesity.


METHODS
Open-label, 10-week dietary intervention comparing two hypo-energetic (-600 kcal/day) diets with a fat energy percent of 20-25 or 40-45.


METHODS
Obese (BMI >or=30 kg/m(2)) adult subjects (n = 771), from eight European centers.


METHODS
Body weight loss, dropout rates, proportion of subjects who lost more than 10% of initial body weight, blood lipid profile, insulin and glucose.


RESULTS
The dietary fat energy percent was 25% in the low-fat group and 40% in the high-fat group (mean difference: 16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 15-17)%). Average weight loss was 6.9 kg in the low-fat group and 6.6 kg in the high-fat group (mean difference: 0.3 (95% CI -0.2 to 0.8) kg). Dropout was 13.6% (n = 53) in the low-fat group and 18.3% (n = 70) in the high-fat group (P=0.001). Among completers, more subjects lost >10% in the low-fat group than in the high-fat group ((20.8%, n = 70) versus (14.7%, n = 46), P = 0.02). Fasting plasma total, low-density lipoprotein- and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol decreased in both groups, but more so in the low-fat group than in the high-fat group. Fasting plasma insulin and glucose were lowered equally by both diets.


CONCLUSIONS
The low-fat diet produced similar mean weight loss as the high-fat diet, but resulted in more subjects losing >10% of initial body weight and fewer dropouts. Both diets produced favorable changes in fasting blood lipids, insulin and glucose.
Petersen
M
M
Institute of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Taylor
M A
MA
Saris
W H M
WH
Verdich
C
C
Toubro
S
S
Macdonald
I
I
Rössner
S
S
Stich
V
V
Guy-Grand
B
B
Langin
D
D
Martinez
J A
JA
Pedersen
O
O
Holst
C
C
Sørensen
T I A
TI
Astrup
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000379:methods*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004041:Dietary Fats; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids