Search

This paper compares the efficacy of two widely used weight-loss diets differing in macronutrient composition - a low-carbohydrate diet versus a low-fat diet. Although "a calorie is a calorie" under the controlled conditions of a metabolic unit (i.e., only the level of calorie intake matters and not the source of calories), we conclude that these interrelationships are far more complex in the free-living situation. The different diet-related factors that condition energy balance, including total energy intake, satiety and hunger sensory triggers, and palatability, must be considered when assessing the efficacy of weight-reducing diets of different macronutrient composition.

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of worksite weight reduction programs at high-stress worksites. We employed a longitudinal study based on two meal replacements daily with subjects choosing a third 'sensible' meal. The subjects were 492 healthy, overweight men and women working in high-stress occupations (police, hospital health professionals, flight crew members, firefighters). The mean group ages ranged from 32.17 +/- 5.70 to 44.50 +/- 16.40 years; the mean group body mass indexes (BMIs) ranged from 27.40 +/- 2.54 to 32.90 +/- 3.39 kg/m(2). The completion rate for the 12 weeks was 79.8%. Reductions in mean weight and mean BMI were greater than in medically supervised clinical trials with non-worksite adults. Firefighters lost the most weight and medical personnel the least. Follow-up found considerable retention of weight loss. Men lost significantly more weight than women (p < 0.006). We conclude that employees in some high-stress settings may participate productively in worksite weight reduction and maintenance programs that use meal replacements.