Everyone knows that losing extra weight may lead to important health benefits, such as improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But what’s the best way to do it? A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine looked at the effects of two weight loss approaches and found that people who attend regular dietary counseling sessions and follow a low-carbohydrate diet or a low-fat diet with the weight-loss medication orlistat (Alli®) can experience both weight loss and health benefits.
Participants who attended 80% or more of the group counseling sessions lost considerably more weight than those who attended less, regardless of the diet they followed
In this study, 146 overweight or obese veterans (72% men) were randomly assigned to follow a low-carbohydrate diet (initially less than 20 grams per day) or daily orlistat therapy plus a low-fat (less than 30% of daily energy), reduced-calorie diet. During the 48-week study, both groups attended small group sessions every 2 to 4 weeks where they were counseled about their diet and other nutritional topics. All participants were instructed to exercise at least 30 minutes three times a week. The study examined the effects of each diet on body weight and metabolism. Results showed:
If you need to lose weight or maintain weight loss, here are some important tips:
(Arch Intern Med 2010;170:136–45.)