Scientific Opinion on the essential composition of total diet replacements for weight control

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the essential composition of total diet replacements for weight control. Total diet replacements for weight control are intended to induce a substantial energy deficit in overweight or obese adults who wish to lose weight and replace the whole diet in the context of energyrestricted diets for weight reduction. In this opinion, the Panel proposed a minimum protein content based on a Population Reference Intake for protein adjusted for the overweight or obese (75 g/day), a minimum carbohydrate content based on the obligatory glucose demands of the brain (30 g/day) and minimum contents of linoleic acid (11 g/day), α-linolenic acid (1.4 g/day) and micronutrients based on reference values established either by the Panel or by other scientific or authoritative bodies. Derived from the minimum content of macronutrients, the Panel proposed a minimum energy content of total diet replacements for weight control of 2 510 kJ/day (600 kcal/day). The Panel also advised on potential conditions and restrictions of use for these products. © European SUMMARYFollowing a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the essential composition of total diet replacements for weight control. Total diet replacements for weight control are intended to induce a substantial energy deficit in overweight or obese adults who wish to lose weight and replace the whole diet in the context of energy-restricted diets for weight reduction.The guiding principle for providing advice on the essential composition of total diet replacements for weight control should be that products are safe and suitable when consumed as a sole source of nutrition for several weeks to months by overweight or obese adults in the context of energy-restricted diets for weight reduction. In order to avoid nutrient deficiencies, these products should, therefore, provide at least the Population Reference Intake or the Adequate Intake for adults of all indispensable nutrients. As Dietary Reference Values are generally established for healthy, normal-weight individuals, specific consideration has been given by the Panel in this opinion whether there was an increase in nutrient requirements in the overweight or obese or (rapid) weight loss leads to an increased nutrient loss and thus a higher requirement. The Panel also considered the extent to which different diet compositions impact on losses in fat-free mass, and on other adverse effects of weight loss diets, such as gallstone formation. The effectiveness of a product in terms of extent of weight loss was not in itself considered an appropriate determinant for the necessary composition of total diet replacements for weight control. ProteinThe Population Reference Intake of 0.83 g/kg body weight per day cannot be directly applied to overweight or obese indi...

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