Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Weight Change Over 7 Years

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased dramatically during the past several decades.^1,2 Although the cause of obesity is undoubtedly multifactorial, much attention has been paid to possible effects of dietary macronutrient composition.^3-7 A number of popular diet books^8-10 have suggested that increasing obesity may be attributed to the diets recommended for chronic disease prevention by various national health organizations.^11-13 Specifically, these organizations recommend diets that are lower in total and saturated fat and high in carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains or fiber-rich foods. Proponents of the popular alternative diets^8-10 have claimed that the higher proportion of carbohydrates in the standard diets may promote weight gain.