Energy balance
There is no conclusive evidence that varying the relative quantities of dietary carbohydrates and fats (macronutrient partitioning) significantly affects the degree of weight loss or the duration of weight maintenance beyond the effects of total caloric intake.
Do not expect a specific macronutrient ratio (low-carb vs. low-fat) to give you a metabolic advantage for long-term weight loss if you are eating the same number of calories. The science shows that both diets work equally well for weight maintenance when calories are matched. Focus on finding a diet you can adhere to long-term, as compliance is the primary driver of success, not the specific ratio of carbs to fats.
Overall, there is no conclusive evidence that the degree of weight loss or the duration of reduced weight maintenance are significantly affected by dietary macronutrient quantity beyond effects attributable to caloric intake.
Why this rating
Based on a narrative review of multiple meta-analyses and controlled inpatient/outpatient studies, though the authors note limitations in long-term outpatient data.
Source
Low Carbohydrate and Low-Fat Diets: What We Don’t Know and Why We Should Know It
Heather Seid et al. · Nutrients · 2019
DOI 10.3390/nu11112749
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