Diet and Weight Loss - Caloric Restriction

Obesity is a major health problem in Western countries, affecting nearly 30% of adults. Obesity increases the risk of a variety of diseases, including heart disease and stroke. Total weight and fat deposition patterns are related to increased mortality. People who store fat in the abdomen are at greater risk than those who store it in the lower body.

Caloric restriction is the most common treatment of obesity and is an essential part of any weight control program. Most quick-loss fad diets, however, stress weight loss rather than the fat loss and fail to provide a regimen that can be followed for life. The goal of a dietary program should be to lose fat and then maintain the loss. Unfortunately, severe caloric restriction and the composition of these fad diets are so unpleasant and unnatural that rebound weight gains are typical.

Many of these quick-loss diets promote low carbohydrate intake, which results in dehydration as muscle and liver glycogen stores are depleted. Low carbohydrate diets lead to loss of intracellular and extracellular fluids. Although the weight loss appears impressive, most of it is in the form of water and lean mass rather than fat. Furthermore, glycogen depletion greatly diminishes the exercise capacity, which almost eliminates physical activity as a source of caloric expenditure.

The success or failure of any diet depends on its effect on energy balance. Diet and exercise are closely controlled and measured, and studies have shown that people lose weight at a predictable rate when put on a low-calorie diet. Weight loss is independent of dietary composition. Fatter people tend to lose weight faster than people who are less fat. Men lose weight faster than women because of a higher lean body mass.

Studies have also shown that anyone consuming 1200 kcal per day will lose weight. They also show that water and protein loss are common during the early stages of the diet. These losses are most pronounced in more obese subjects. Exercise can slow the loss of lean mass in obese people but cannot eliminate it.

Extremely low calorie diets (

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