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  • Original Article
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Long-term effects of popular dietary approaches on weight loss and features of insulin resistance

Abstract

Objective:

High-carbohydrate (HC)–high-fibre diets are recommended for weight loss and for treating and preventing diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We report a randomised trial comparing high-fat (HF) and high-protein (HP) diets with the conventional approach.

Research design and methods:

A total of 93 overweight insulin-resistant women received advice following randomisation to HF, HP or HC dietary regimes, to achieve weight loss followed by weight maintenance over 12 months. Weight, body composition and measures of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were investigated.

Results:

Retention rates were 93% for HP and 75% for HC and HF. Features of the metabolic syndrome improved in all groups during the first 6 months, to a greater extent on HF and HP than an HC. During the second 6 months the HF group had increases in waist circumference (mean difference 4.4 cm (95% CI 3.0, 5.8)), fat mass (2.3 kg (1.5, 3.1)), triglycerides (0.28 mmol/l (0.09, 0.46)) and 2 h glucose (0.70 mmol/l (0.22, 1.18)). Overall there was substantial sustained improvement in waist circumference, triglycerides and insulin in the HP group and sustained but more modest changes on HC. Dietary compliance at 12 months was poor in all groups.

Conclusions:

HP and HC approaches appear to be appropriate options for insulin-resistant individuals. When recommending HP diets appropriate composition of dietary fat must be ensured. HC diet recommendations must include advice regarding appropriate high-fibre, low glycaemic index foods.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the participants; Glenys Henshaw, the study dietitian; Michelle Harper and Ashley Duncan, who undertook most of the laboratory analyses; Charla Hopkins, who was involved in the first 6 months of this study; and Victoria Farmer for research assistance. Funding was provided by the Health Research Council of New Zealand and in the initial stages of this study financial support was obtained from a Bristol Myers Squibb Mead Johnson Unrestricted Research Grant.

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Correspondence to J I Mann.

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McAuley, K., Smith, K., Taylor, R. et al. Long-term effects of popular dietary approaches on weight loss and features of insulin resistance. Int J Obes 30, 342–349 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803075

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803075

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