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


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ello-Martin
Julia A
JA
Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-6501, USA.
Roe
Liane S
LS
Ledikwe
Jenny H
JH
Beach
Amanda M
AM
Rolls
Barbara J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014675:Vegetables; D015431:Weight Loss
D004041:Dietary Fats