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Comparison of weight loss effects among overweight/obese adults: A network meta-analysis of mediterranean, low carbohydrate, and low-fat diets.

Clinical nutrition ESPEN
December 1, 2024
Maryam Akbari et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewComparative StudyHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the effects of Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate, and low-fat diets on weight loss among overweight/obese adults using network meta-analysis.

Results Summary

The low-carbohydrate diet showed significant weight loss compared to the Mediterranean diet and was ranked as the most effective dietary intervention for weight loss and body fat reduction. Indirect evidence also supported its superiority over a standard hypolipemic diet.

Population

Overweight and obese adults

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mediterranean diet
decrease
weight
overweight and obese adults
-
resulted in weight loss
#1
low carbohydrate diet
decrease
weight
overweight and obese adults
-
resulted in weight loss
#2
low fat diet
decrease
weight
overweight and obese adults
-
resulted in weight loss
#3
low-carbohydrate diet
decrease
weight loss
overweight/obese adults
MD = -2.70 kg, 95% CI: -4.65, -0.75
exhibited a significant decrease in weight loss compared to the Mediterranean diet
#4
low-carbohydrate diet
decrease
weight
overweight/obese adults
MD = -6.31 kg, 95% CI: -11.23, -1.39
significantly reduced weight
#5
low-fat diet
decrease
weight
overweight/obese adults
MD = -5.61 kg, 95% CI: -10.61, -0.61
significantly reduced weight
#6
low-carbohydrate diet
decrease
weight loss
-
P-score = 0.8994
the most effective dietary intervention for enhancing weight loss
#7
low-carbohydrate diet
decrease
body fat
-
P-score = 0.7060
the most effective dietary intervention for reducing body fat
#8
low-carb diet
decrease
weight loss
-
-
among the most effective approaches for weight loss
#9
low-carb diet
decrease
body fat
-
-
among the most effective approaches for body fat reduction
#10
Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Eating patterns significantly impact the weight loss process. This study aimed to investigate the influence of primary eating patterns on weight loss measures in overweight and obese adults using network meta-analysis. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and Google Scholar until May 2, 2023. Our network meta-analysis followed the PRISMA extension guidelines for Comparing Mediterranean, low carbohydrate and low fat diet effects on weight loss among overweight/obese adults. We conducted a Frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis. Summary effects were presented as mean differences (MD) along with corresponding standard deviations (SD). P-scores were used for treatment ranking within the network. RESULTS: Initial literature searches yielded 1574 citations. Ultimately, 1004 participants from 7 RCTs (or 9 trials) met inclusion criteria. All diets resulted in weight loss. Comparatively, the low-carbohydrate diet exhibited a significant decrease in weight loss compared to the Mediterranean diet (MD = -2.70 kg, 95% CI: -4.65, -0.75). Indirect evidence revealed that both the low-carbohydrate diet (MD = -6.31 kg, 95% CI: -11.23, -1.39) and the low-fat diet (MD = -5.61 kg, 95% CI: -10.61, -0.61) significantly reduced weight among overweight/obese adults compared to the standard hypolipemic diet. Rankings indicated the low-carbohydrate diet as the most effective dietary intervention for enhancing weight loss (P-score = 0.8994) and reducing body fat (P-score = 0.7060). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, a low-carb diet appears to be among the most effective approaches for weight loss and body fat reduction. However, it's essential to consider that its efficacy may vary based on factors such as age, gender, genetics, and lifestyle habits.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansWeight LossDiet, MediterraneanDiet, Carbohydrate-RestrictedObesityDiet, Fat-RestrictedOverweightNetwork Meta-AnalysisAdult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year2.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.70
Normalized Score0.70
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