title: Effect of Allowing Choice of Diet on Weight Loss: A Randomized Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Choosing a diet rather than being prescribed one could improve weight loss.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether offering choice of diet improves weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  Double-randomized preference trial of choice between 2 diets (choice) versus random assignment to a diet (comparator) over 48 weeks. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01152359).
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient clinic at a Veterans Affairs medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatients with a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m2.
  
  
  METHODS
  Choice participants received information about their food preferences and 2 diet options (low-carbohydrate diet [LCD] or low-fat diet [LFD]) before choosing and were allowed to switch diets at 12 weeks. Comparator participants were randomly assigned to 1 diet for 48 weeks. Both groups received group and telephone counseling for 48 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was weight at 48 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 105 choice participants, 61 (58%) chose the LCD and 44 (42%) chose the LFD; 5 (3 on the LCD and 2 on the LFD) switched diets at 12 weeks, and 87 (83%) completed measurements at 48 weeks. Of 102 comparator participants, 53 (52%) were randomly assigned to the LCD and 49 (48%) were assigned to the LFD; 88 (86%) completed measurements. At 48 weeks, estimated mean weight loss was 5.7 kg (95% CI, 4.3 to 7.0 kg) in the choice group and 6.7 kg (CI, 5.4 to 8.0 kg) in the comparator group (mean difference, -1.1 kg [CI, -2.9 to 0.8 kg]; P = 0.26). Secondary outcomes of dietary adherence, physical activity, and weight-related quality of life were similar between groups at 48 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only 2 diet options were provided. Results from this sample of older veterans might not be generalizable to other populations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contrary to expectations, the opportunity to choose a diet did not improve weight loss.
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Yancy
authors.forename: Stephanie B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Cynthia J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Coffman
authors.forename: Valerie A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ronette L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Kolotkin
authors.forename: Paula J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Geiselman
authors.forename: Megan A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McVay
authors.forename: Eugene Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Oddone
authors.forename: Corrine I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Voils
mesh_terms: D031204:Caloric Restriction; D002755:Choice Behavior; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D057240:Patient Preference; D011788:Quality of Life; D015431:Weight Loss