[Hypocaloric diets: which ones to advise/avoid?]

Rev Med Suisse. 2005 Mar 23;1(12):818-22.
[Article in French]

Abstract

A hypocaloric diet, whatever the proposed type, is an inadapted treatment to chronic disease, like obesity. All diets are inefficient on the long term. The weight loss is generally small, about 1-2 kg a year. The results are the same, independently of the type of diet, and the patient's compliance is clearly the main key to succeed. About 80% of patients regain weight the first month following the diet, and only 1% can keep the obtained weight a year later. Nearly half of the patients involved in a diet program give up before the end. Finally, because of risks of macro and micro nutriments deficiency, certain diets are to be avoided and hypocaloric diet shouldn't be proposed.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diet Fads*
  • Diet, Reducing*
  • Energy Intake*
  • Humans
  • Obesity / diet therapy*
  • Patient Compliance
  • Weight Loss