title: Better dietary adherence and weight maintenance achieved by a long-term moderate-fat diet.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of a long-term moderate-fat diet (30 % energy from fat) v. a low-fat one (20 % energy from fat) on metabolic risks. The study was a randomised, prospective 14-month trial on overweight and obese patients (eighty-nine overweight and obese men and women). The intervention was a moderate-fat diet (30 % energy) or a low-fat diet (20 % energy). The main outcome measurements were change in body weight, waist circumference, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, TAG, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Forty-five subjects on the moderate-fat diet and forty-four subjects on the low-fat one were studied. Characteristics of all randomised participants were similar in both groups. After 7 months, the moderate- and low-fat diets had similar effects on cardiovascular risks. The moderate-fat diet was more successful after 14 months in reducing weight ( -5.0 (SD 2.5) kg in the moderate-fat group v. -1.2 (SD 1.1) kg in the low-fat one; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (-5.5 (SD 2.4) cm in the moderate-fat group v. - 2.3 (SD 1.3) cm in the low-fat one; P < 0.0001), and other cardiovascular risk factors as well (LDL, TAG, total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure). In conclusion, a moderate-fat energy-restricted diet in the long term might have more beneficial effects on weight maintenance and cardiovascular risk factors compared with a low-fat diet. Better dietary adherence with the moderate-fat diet may be the reason for its successful effects.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Research Center, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 19395-4763, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Azadbakht
authors.forename: Parvin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirmiran
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esmaillzadeh
authors.forename: Fereidoun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Azizi
mesh_terms: D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids