Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone Diets for Weight Loss and Heart Disease Risk Reduction

Abstract

OPULAR DIETS HAVE BECOME INcreasingly prevalent and controversial. 1 More than 1000 diet books are now available, 2 with many popular ones departing substantially from mainstream medical advice. 3 Cover stories for major news magazines, televised debates, and cautionary statements by prominent medical authorities 4,5 have fueled public interest and concern regarding the effectiveness and safety of such diets. 6-8 Although some popular diets are based on long-standing medical advice and recommend restriction of portion sizes and calories (eg, Weight Watchers), 9 a broad spectrum of alternatives has evolved. Some plans minimize carbohydrate intake without fat restriction (eg, Atkins diet), 10 many modulate macronutrient balance and glycemic load (eg, Zone diet), 11 and others restrict fat (eg, Ornish diet). 12 Given the growing obesity epidemic, 13 many patients and clinicians are interested in using popular diets as individualized eating strategies for disease prevention. 14 Unfortunately, data regarding the relative benefits, risks, effectiveness, and For editorial comment see p 96.

Body Mass Index, Weight Change, and Risk of Prostate Cancer in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort

“…Human data on caloric restriction are limited, however, and a recent randomized clinical trial to examine the effects of 6 months of caloric restriction among healthy men and women showed decreased levels of fasting insulin levels in the intervention group study (66). In addition, moderate weight loss following a weight loss diet has been associated with decreased levels of plasma insulin in several studies (67,68).…”

Principais alterações físico-químicas em óleos e gorduras submetidos ao processo de fritura por imersão: regulamentação e efeitos na saúde

“…Diversos estudos comprovam a influência da alimentação nos lipídios séricos e na evolução da aterosclerose, e outros mostram a dificuldade de fazer a população melhorar seus hábitos alimentares 65,66 . O tipo de ácido graxo oferecido na dieta pode levar ao aumento de gordura no tecido adiposo, ganho de peso corporal e, consequentemente, o desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis.…”

The effect of post-exercise drink macronutrient content on appetite and energy intake

“…By contrast, acute energy 53 restriction has been shown to markedly increase feelings of hunger and energy intake (Hubert,54 King, & Blundell, 1998). Increased feelings of hunger are cited as a key factor culminating in 55 poor dietary adherence (Dansinger, Gleason, Griffith, Selker, & Schaefer, 2005), and as such, 56 developing methods to suppress hunger and energy intake, whilst inducing a negative energy 57 balance, should be the primary goal of modern weight management programmes.…”