[Comparison of the effects of long-term moderate and low fat diets on metabolic risk factors]

ABSTRACT

To determine the effects of long term moderate fat diet [30% of energy from fat] vs low fat [20% of energy from fat] diet on metabolic risks. A randomized, prospective 14-month trial on overweight and obese patients, a total of 89 overweight and obese men and women. Intervention [1] Moderate-fat diet [30% of energy], [2] Low fat diet [20% of energy]. Main Outcome Measurements Change in body weight, waist circumference, LDL-C, HDL-C, total cholesterol, triglyceride, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 45 subjects on a moderate fat diet and 44 subjects, on a low fat one were studied. Characteristics of all randomized participants were similar in both groups. After 7 months the moderate and low fat diets had similar effects on cardiovascular risks. The moderate fat diet was more successful after 14 months in reducing weight [-5.0 +/- 2.5 kg in the moderate group vs-1.2 +/- 1.1 kg in the low fat one; p<0.0001], waist circumference [-5.5 +/- 2.4 cm in the moderate group vs-2.3 +/- 1.3 cm in the low fat one; p<0.0001], and other cardiovascular risk factors as well[LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure]. A moderate fat diet, controlled for energy intake long term might have more beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors as compared to a low-fat diet