Diet therapy

Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition 3(2+1)
Lesson 31:Over weight and Obesitycauses, symptoms and dietary management

Diet therapy

Diet to promote weight loss are generally divided into four categories: low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie, and very low calorie.

Very low-calorie diets

  • Very low calorie diets provide 200-800 k cal/day while maintaining normal protein intake and limiting calories from both fat and carbohydrates.
  • They subject the body to starvation and produce an average weekly weight loss of 1.5-2.5 kilograms.
  • These diets are not recommended for general use as they are associated with adverse side effects such as loss of lean muscle mass, increased risks of gout, and electrolyte imbalances.
  • People attempting these diets must be monitored closely by a physician to prevent complications.

Low-calorie diets (Reducing diet)

Low-calorie diets usually produce an energy deficit of 500-1000 calories per day, which can result in a 0.5 kilogram weight loss per week.

Low-carbohydrate diets (weight maintenance diet)

  • Provides 1500-1800 k cal.
  • Introduced when body weights are reduced to optimal level due to reducing diets. Low carbohydrate diets such as Atkin's and protein power are relatively high in fat and protein.
  • They are very popular in the press but are not recommended by the American Heart Association.
  • A review of 94 trials found that weight loss was associated with increased satiety and thus decreased calorie consumption.
  • No adverse affect from low carbohydrate diets were detected.

Low-fat diets

Low-fat diets involve the reduction of the percentage of fat in one’s diet. Calorie consumption is reduced but not purposely.

Principles of dietetic management

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Last modified: Tuesday, 25 October 2011, 6:41 AM