In conclusion, diets that are successful in causing weight loss can emphasize a range of fat, protein, and carbohydrate compositions that have beneficial effects on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Such diets can also be tailored to individual patients on the basis of their personal and cultural preferences and may therefore have the best chance for long-term success.
I would suggest the next study include online support. Is it a substitute for support group type interactions? Does online support have a positive impact on weight loss and healthy weight management?
~♥~
8 comments:
If I have read the journal article correctly, they said 811 people started the study, and only 645 (about 80 %) completed it. Of the 645, only about half of them had lost weight after 2 years.
To me, that means that only 40 % of the original group lost weight, 40 % gained or maintained their weight, and 20 % of the original group dropped out completely. I would argue that the diets failed, since they probably did no better than the general population.
My conclusion would be different from that of the study authors. My conclusion would be that people don't lose weight on inflexible one-size-fits-all diets. I know I don't.
I'm going to post more comments over on my own blog heyanewday.blogspot.com, but here is part of what I have to say:
In a follow-up to the NEJM article, he NEJM readers, mostly medical professionals or students, had comments that were all over the place, with recommendations acros the spectrum, including:
-- "a $1 tape measure"
-- "a paleolithic diet, one with no refined carbohydrates"
-- "life style changes with a low glycemic diet focused on complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins ... optimal, pharmaceutical grade supplements ... regular exercise ... (and) love"
-- "take in less calories than what you use and you will lose weight"
One NEJM reader criticized the validity of the study in these words:
"the participants didn't really follow the prescribed diets. If they had actually eaten 750 kcal less per day than at baseline they would have lost an average of 70 kg in two years, not three to four kg.; since they started with an average of 94 kg most of the participants would have starved to death! Although actual dietary intake was self-reported, I cannot find any data on the reported calorie intake but it is obvious the participants were actually taking many more calories than they probably reported. Any diet trial that cannot first prove that energy was conserved during the trial is invalid."
And, finally, here is one NEJM reader comment with which I strongly agree:
"The issue is not whether one diet is more effective than another but whether a patient can stick to a particular diet. An individualized approach is advised."
I entirely agree. Online support is completely missed across the board by most of the studies.
I suspect that new studies coming out in the next few years will probably even compare online support to offline. This one was started in late 2004 and would have received funding etc earlier before the blogging world was as prominent as it is today. In any case, whatever works for you is best - that's my approach.
(Boy that Jim sure knows his math, doesn't he? *G*)
The Journal of American Medicine published a study a couple of years ago that touted online support groups. Naturally, I can't find the link right now, but here's a link to a related article:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/the-best-online-weight-loss-programs
This is from Darya at Thought for Food:
"While all these diets seem to have the same effect on weight loss, they certainly do not have the same effect on long-term health. Diets with a lot of animal fat and protein increase risk of nearly all the chronic diseases that plague our society. The same can be said for diets that include many refined carbohydrates.
The only diet that lowers risk of these diseases is a plant-based diet of whole foods such as vegetables, grains and legumes, with very small portions of animal products."
Read the rest of her thoughts about this study here.
I would agree with this -- as long as you are following some type of healthy diet of some kind and reducing calories to a healthy level and combine that with some exercise, anything would probably work. And support helps -- but I've found it has to be the RIGHT type of support -- someone who can speak straight with you without being a jerk.
Thanks for your kind comments on my soon-to-be-defunct diet/exercise blog! I think I might add the little weight thing like you have to my personal blog as a kind of constant reminder (as I spend so much time on it) and to help keep me from being totally embarrassed!
Best of luck in your journey and I'll pop in every once in a while to get some inspiration!
Hey Jenners, I'll visit your personal blog and check out your progress & cheer you on!
Thanks for stopping by.
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