A Dietary Quality Comparison of Popular Weight-Loss Plans

Abstract

Popular weight-loss plans often have conflicting recommendations, which makes it difficult to determine the most healthful approach to weight loss. Our study compares the dietary quality of popular weight-loss plans. Dietary quality, measured by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), was calculated via sample menus provided in published media for the New Glucose Revolution, Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, Zone, Ornish, and 2005 US Department of Agriculture Food Guide Pyramid (2005 Food Guide Pyramid) plans. The criterion for determining which weight-loss plans were the most popular was their status on the New York Times Bestseller list. Weight Watchers and the 2005 Food Guide Pyramid plan were included because they are the largest commercial weight-loss plan, and the current government recommendation, respectively. Analysis of variance was used to compare nutrient information among the weight-loss plans. The AHEI scores adjusted for energy content were also compared. Of a maximum possible score of 70, the AHEI scores for each weight-loss plan from the highest to the lowest plan were: Ornish (score 64.6), Weight Watchers high-carbohydrate (score 57.4), New Glucose Revolution (score 57.2), South Beach/Phase 2 (score 50.7), Zone (score 49.8), 2005 Food Guide Pyramid (score 48.7), Weight Watchers high-protein (score 47.3), Atkins/100-g carbohydrate (score 46), South Beach/Phase 3 (score 45.61, and Atkind45-g carbohydrate (score 42.3). Dietary quality varied across popular weight-loss plans. Ornish, Weight Watchers high-carbohydrate, and New Glucose Revolution weight-loss plans have an increased capacity for cardiovascular disease prevention when assessed by the AHEI.Obesity is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1,2). Accompanying the steady rise in obesity during the past 3 decades is the proliferation of popular weight-loss plans. Although most of these weight-loss plans are efficacious for weight reduction in the short term (3-6), how the weight-loss plans compare in terms of dietary quality is unknown. Dietary quality has been defined a s the degree to which a diet reduces risk for chronic diseases, specifically CVD (7).The purpose of this study was to compare popular weight-loss plans' dietary quality as well as other nutrients associated with reduced CVD. Given that obesity is a risk factor for CVD, the optimal weight-loss plan will facilitate weight loss and CVD risk reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Diet SelectionEight weight-loss plans were selected for comparison, including New Glucose Revolution, two Weight Watchers plans, Atkins, South Beach, Zone, The New Glucose Revolution (8) endorses a low glycemic index weight-loss plan. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates according to their effect on blood glucose levels. Glycemic index is the basis for food selection balanced with the selection of lean protein and healthful fats. The glycemic index score reflects how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. The lowglycemic index plan is purported to facilitate s...

Metabolic and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Early Mouse Embryos Following Maternal Dietary Protein Intervention1

“…The developing fetus and placenta also are influenced by periconception dietary protein supply, including a reduction in pregnancy rates [15], altered fetal development and abnormalities [15,20,21], reduced placental weight and size [7,22], and altered imprinted gene expression in fetal tissue [15,23]. Although evidence to date implicates a lowprotein diet (LPD) in rodents with perturbed embryo, fetal, and offspring development, comparatively less work has focused on the consequences of a high-protein diet (HPD) similar to that consumed in popular weight-loss programs [24]. Thus, the link between imbalanced dietary protein levels and impaired development are clear, but the mechanisms contributing to this remain to be elucidated.…”

Quality of diet plans for weight loss featured in women's magazines. A cross-sectional descriptive study

“…Women of all sizes and shapes are motivated to lose weight because of fashion and not because of the health risks associated with being obese or overweight. 11 It is also increasingly common to find nutrition articles in popular magazines that include interviews with celebrities. When public figures (especially actors and athletes) give testimonials about their eating habits, these can have far-reaching and potentially harmful effects on the population because many readers tend to believe any information endorsed by role models.…”

“…25 Fibers have important physiological effects, including prevention of intestinal diseases, treatment of obesity and reduction of serum lipid levels. 11,[36][37][38][39] From a metaanalysis on 67 randomized trials assessing the effect of dietary fiber on serum cholesterol levels, it was found that the consumption of 2-10 g of soluble fibers per day was associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels. 38 Almost 70% of the diet plans did not specify the total daily quantity of calories, and in over half of those that provided this information, it was incorrect.…”

Diet and Obesity (Macronutrients, Micronutrients, Nutritional Biochemistry)

“…The data is limited and this aspect of weight management has not been well studied. There have been some micronutrient evaluations of sample menus from various weight loss diets using a nutrient analysis database (Anderson et al 2000;Freedman et al 2001;Ma et al 2007). Overall, these analyses demonstrate that the proposed diet plans were deficient in many micronutrients.…”