A new meta-analysis of dozens of “brand-name” diets finds that while most are better than no diet at all, there is not much difference between them. The study looked at 48 randomized trials containing a total of nearly 7300 overweight individuals.
In terms of amount of weight lost, low-carbohydrate diets give a slight advantage at the 6-month mark. However, after 12 months the amount of weight lost averaged out at about 16 pounds among both low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets.
The authors suggest that patients choose diets based on how easily each individual can stick to the rules of the diet.
Original research paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on September 2, 2014.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
