A low carbohydrate diet: treating obesity related disorders in adults

The prevalence of obesity in United States adults from 1988 to 2000 skyrocketed from 22.9% to 30.5%. The healthcare community is struggling to find solutions to combat this epidemic. Several weight loss diet studies have demonstrated that low carbohydrate diets may be a reasonable alternative for individuals (including those with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and high blood pressure) who have not had success losing with standard low-fat and diabetic diets. The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of an ultra-low-carbohydrate diet for treating obesity adults. Participants were overweight or obese, non-pregnant, English speaking adults. They were randomly divided into two diet groups: (a) ultra-low carbohydrate (no calorie limit, 5% CHO, 35% protein, and 60% fat) and (b) balanced low calorie (1100 calorie, 55% CHO, 15% protein, and 30% fat, „T 10% saturated fat, „T 300 mg cholesterol, and „d 25 grams fiber). At baseline, study participants received instruction on specified diets, and they had anthropometric measurements taken (weight, blood pressure, and body fat using bioimpedance). Laboratory data was solicited throughout the study to determine an impact of each diet on blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. The study lasted 20 weeks, with subjects receiving follow-up group counseling on specified diets and routine measurement of anthropometrics data. At each group meeting subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire to either gather baseline data, measure diet compliance and satisfaction, or to evaluate the study. Although both diet groups demonstrated weight loss, body fat loss and blood pressure reductions, the differences between the diet groups were not significant. Both HDL cholesterol and triglycerides demonstrated significant positive outcomes between the two diet groups (p < .05). Cronbach¡¦s Alpha demonstrated poor reliability for the satiety and compliance survey. Participation retention declined throughout the study with an average dropout rate of 14.9% per meeting.