Comparison of the effects of four commercially available weight-loss programs on lipid-based cardiovascular risk factors
Morgan LM, Griffin BA, Millward DJ, et al. Public Health Nutr. 2008;21:799-807.
Objective
To compare the effectiveness of four popular weight-loss programs on plasma lipids and lipoproteins as markers of cardiovascular (CVD) risk. The four popular weight-loss programs were: Dr Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, The Slim-Fast® Plan, Weight Watchers Pure Points program and Rosemary Conley’s ‘Eat yourself Slim’ Diet and Fitness Plan-against a control diet.
Methods
Total sample size of three hundred overweight and obese men and women, with a BMI between 27-40kg/m2 and ages, between 18-65, from the community were recruited in a multi-centered, randomized, controlled parallel dietary intervention study with a delayed treatment control group (involved no dietary intervention) at 5 university centers over a 6-month period.
Results
The four commercial weight-loss programs were equally effective with weight-loss as each of the four diets lost 5-9 kg at 6 months. Weight loss was positively correlated with improvements in blood lipids with respect to plasma triacylglycerol (TAG), insulin, glucose, LDL-C values and LDL particle size.
Conclusion
Adults can improve their lipid-mediated CVD risk factors with modest weight loss by following a commercial weight-loss program.
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