Research
Macro partitioning
Atkins diet produces greater short-term weight loss than control or counseling, but long-term (12 months) efficacy is modest (0.1-2.9% greater) and similar to other diets.
The Atkins diet can help you lose weight in the short term, but its long-term (12-month) benefit is modest and similar to other diets. If you prefer a low-carbohydrate approach, it may work for you, but don't expect it to be a magic bullet. Focus on adherence and sustainable habits.
ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
Atkins resulted in 0.1% to 2.9% greater weight loss at 12 months than counseling. ... Atkins showed greater short-term weight loss than control/education or counseling.
Why this rating
Moderate ROB, mixed results.
Source
Efficacy of Commercial Weight-Loss Programs
Kimberly A. Gudzune et al. · Annals of Internal Medicine · 2015
DOI 10.7326/m14-2238
systematic_reviewCited 331×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Commercial weight-loss programs Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig produce statistically significant and clinically relevant greater weight loss compared to control or behavioral counseling interventions at 12 months.Moderate
- Nutrisystem produces greater short-term weight loss (3 months) compared to control or counseling, but long-term efficacy (12 months) is unproven due to lack of long-term trials.Moderate
- Very-low-calorie (VLC) meal replacement programs (HMR, Medifast, OPTIFAST) produce greater short-term weight loss than counseling, but effects attenuate after 6 months and carry risks of gallstones.Moderate
Related findings · Macro partitioning
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