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Review
. 2021 Mar 30;30(1):20-31.
doi: 10.7570/jomes20065.

Optimal Diet Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance

Ju Young Kim  1
Affiliations
Review

Optimal Diet Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance

Ju Young Kim. J Obes Metab Syndr. .

Abstract

Obesity has become one of the most important public health problems worldwide, which suggests the need for evidence-based dietary strategies for weight loss and its maintenance. Weight management depends upon complex factors such as amount of food eaten, type of food eaten, and timing of meals. In this review, we identified evidence-based dietary strategies for weight management based on these three components. An energy deficit is the most important factor in weight loss. A low-calorie diet with a low fat or carbohydrate content has been recommended; however, in some cases, a very-low-calorie diet is required for a short period. Some macronutrient composition-based diets, such as the ketogenic diet or high-protein diet, could be considered in some cases, although the potential risks and long-term effectiveness remain unknown. Meal timing is also an important factor in weight management, and higher-calorie breakfasts in combination with overnight fasting may help to prevent obesity. Our review indicated that there is no single best strategy for weight management. Hence, strategies for weight loss and its maintenance should be individualized, and healthcare providers must choose the best strategy based on patient preferences.

Keywords: Carbohydrate-restricted diet; Fasting; Fat-restricted diet; High-protein diet; Mediterranean diet.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Ju Young Kim is the Editorial Board member of the Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome. However, she is not involved in the peer reviewer selection, evaluation, or decision process of this article. Otherwise, no other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of the results reported by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in adults according to dietary interventions. Green: evidence of a beneficial effect (i.e., a decrease in all outcomes except HDL-C); grey: no effect; red: evidence of a detrimental effect (i.e., an increase in all outcomes except HDL-C). The size of the circles reflects the number of unique meta-analyses available. BMI, body mass index; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin; BP, blood pressure; GI, glycemic index; GL, glycemic load; ER, energy restriction; DASH, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Adapted from Dinu M, et al. Adv Nutr 2020;11:815-33, with permission from Elsevier.
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