Welcome to the seminar on

An overview of Fad Diets

Meera Kaur, Ph.D., R.D.Department of Family Medicine

Kaur@cc.umanitoba.cahttp://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~kaur

Learning Objectives

To understandWhat is fad dietWhy fad DietsSafety and efficacy of Fad dietsVarious types of fad dietsThe good, the bad and the ugly

diets

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Outline

DefinitionWhy Fad DietsWorking principles, efficacy etc.Various types of Fad dietsAt the bottom line

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Definition

Web Definition: a reducing diet that enjoys temporary popularity

Medical Dictionary Definition: Any of a number of weight-reduction diets that either eliminate one or more of the essential food groups, or recommend consumption of one type of food in excess at the expense of other foods; FDs rarely follow modern principles for losing weight. See

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Why Fad diets?

To

Before After

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Fad Diets: working principles

Efficacy Weight loss often quicker

Loss of glycogen (low CHO) and waterVery low calorieSatiety: protein and fat

Health parameters Secondary to weight loss

Long term Little differenceAdherence lower

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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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Fad Diets: The Good

Get with the Program or Best Life diet Weight Watchers Canada’s Food Guide

The best, but

it’s boring

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Get With The Programor Best Life Diet Bob Greene, PhD

Premise: Focus on small phased changes, food journaling, exercise and balanced diet. Limits fat and alcohol

Negative Health Implications: None

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Weight WatchersWeight Watchers International

Premise: Foods are assigned a point value based on fat, fibre, and calories. Number of points limited per day based on actual weight. Exercise encouraged. Support system important, with weekly weigh-ins.

Negative Health Implications: None.

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Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – NEW 2007

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index_e.html

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Fad Diets: The Bad

South Beach

Sugar Busters

The Zone

Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Solution

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South Beach DietArthur Agatston, MD

Premise: Limiting total carbs and increasing protein, while choosing the “right fats and the right carbs” you will lose weight as you will have less cravings.

Negative Health Implications: Lacks fibre in the first two weeks, lacks vitamins and minerals in the first two weeks. Rules difficult to follow. Based on faulty science.

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Sugar BustersH. Leighton Steward; Morrison C. Berthea, M.D.; Sam S. Andrews, M.D.; and Luis A. Balart, M.D.

Premise: Sugar is toxic, causing the body to release insulin and store excess body sugar as body fat.

Negative Health Implications: Kidney and liver damage, fatigue, weakness and irritability.

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Enter the ZoneBarry Sears, Ph.D.

Premise: Follow rigid, obscure rules, such as eating in “macronutrient blocks” and eliminating carbohydrates.

Negative Health Implications: Nutrient deficiency, increased risk of coronary heart disease, high cholesterol.

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Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Solution

Phil McGraw, PhD

Premise: Uses Glycemic Index, supplements and behaviour coaching to promote weight loss.

Negative Health Implications: Supplement use questionable.

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Fad Diets: The Ugly

Eat right for Your typeSuzanne Somers (food combining)Protein PowerHerbal Magic (supplements/herbal

remedies)Atkins

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Eat Right For Your Type Peter J. D’Adamo, N.D.

Premise: claims that an individual’s blood type should determine what to eat and to avoid. When a particular blood type consumes "off-limit" foods, the effect is akin to a transfusion of mismatched blood. Recommended caloric intake varies widely from day to day.

Negative Health Implications: Current scientific research does not support D’Adamo’s claim that blood type determines an individual’s response to certain foods.

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Sommersize (etc.)Suzanne Sommers

Premise: These diets maintain that eating foods in certain combination will help you burn fat more effectively, boost your metabolism, and in some cases "reduce mucus." Many food combining diets eliminate dairy products,

Negative Health Implications: Inadequate calcium, faulty science, reducing mucus has questionable value

Testimonial “I would eat 7-8 small pieces of fruit, wait 20 minutes or

more and have 2 cups of Grape Nuts. “

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Protein PowerMichael Eades, M.D. and Mary Eades, M.D.

Premise: Low in fiber, high in fat, claims human body has no physical need for carbohydrates; should be completely avoided.

Negative Health Implications: Increased risk for coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, nutrient deficiency.

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Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution

Robert Atkins, M.D.

Premise: Eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates from the diet to achieve “Benign Dietary Ketoacidosis,” which will lead to decreased hunger and a “metabolic advantage.”

Negative Health Implications: Research has shown that diets high in saturated fats, such as this, are detrimental to health and more likely to cause obesity. Ketosis is often accompanied by nausea, headaches, bad breath and fatigue. High-protein diets may exacerbate kidney disease and gout. High meat intake can increase risk of certain cancers.

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Eat More, Weigh Less Dean Ornish, M.D.

Premise: Calories from fat cause one to become fat; however, the author does concede that calories consumed above maintenance levels contribute to weight gain. The average amount of calories ranges between 1,200 and 1,350 calories a day.

Negative Health Implications: Very difficult to follow, compounding feelings of helplessness and failure. Fat intake may be too low…theoretical risk related to deficiency of fat and essential fatty acids.

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Herbal Magic (et al)

Premise: Special herbal supplements along with diet and exercise will help with weight loss

Negative health implications: Little evidence regarding the safety or efficacy of supplements (e.g. ephedra). Costly.

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A Quick Comparison

Atkins

Protein Power

Sugar Busters

The Zone

ADA

High Fiber

Pritikin

Ornish

Which would you choose????

Anderson, J., Konz, E & Jenkins, D., 2000

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Focus: Low Carb. Diets

Katz, D.L., 2005

What’s the big deal????

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Fad Diets: The Reality

Anderson, J., Konz, E & Jenkins, D., 2000

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Starting Weight

5% Weight Loss

10% Weight Loss

Kg Lb Kg Lb Kg Lb

68 150 3.4 7.5 6.8 15

73 160 3.6 8 7.2 16

77 170 4 8.5 8 17

82 180 4 9 8 18

86 190 4.6 9.5 9.2 19

90.9 200 4.5 10 9 20

113.6 250 5.7 12.5 11.4 2528

Resources and Tools Websites:

AMA http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/10931.html

Ohio State Medical School http://devweb3.vip.ohio-state.edu/patedu.htm

National Obesity Initiative http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/

practgde.htm Dietitians of Canada

www.dietitians.ca 2006 Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines on the

management and prevention of obesity in adults and children. Canadian Medical Association Journal;176(8), online.

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Resources and Tools

Subscribe to Nutrition Action Newsletter http://www.cspinet.org/canada/index.html

Scientific review of popular diets http://www.obesityresearch.org/cgi/reprint/9/

suppl_1/33S.pdf Low Carb Diets “Critique”

http://www.atkinsexposed.org/atkins/1/Atkins.htm The Zone Diet Phenomenon: A Closer Look

at the Science behind the Claims Cheuvront, S. (2003). Journal of the American

College of Nutrition; 22(1); 9-17

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