Mixed
There is no clinically relevant difference in individual response heterogeneity (variability in body mass change) between low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets.
If you are choosing between a low-carbohydrate and a low-fat diet for weight loss, do not expect one to be inherently more 'unpredictable' or variable in its results than the other. The variability in how much weight people lose is similar for both approaches. Therefore, the choice should be based on preference, adherence, and health markers rather than an expectation of superior or inferior individual response variability.
Evidence is insufficient to suggest the response heterogeneity to low-CHO diets differs from that observed with low-fat diets.
Why this rating
High-quality systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 RCTs with 3,340 participants, though the confidence intervals for the variance estimate were wide.
Source
A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Comparing Heterogeneity in Body Mass Responses Between Low‐Carbohydrate and Low‐Fat Diets
Ella S. Smith et al. · Obesity · 2020
DOI 10.1002/oby.22968
Related findings · Mixed
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