Energy balance
Calorie restriction is more effective for obesity treatment than dietary fat restriction, producing significantly greater weight loss and better long-term maintenance.
To lose weight and keep it off, focus on limiting your total daily calories (aiming for 1000-1200 kcal depending on your size) rather than just cutting fat. While you can eat low-fat foods, if you don't control the total energy, you won't lose weight. Use behavioral strategies like self-monitoring to stay within your calorie goal.
Weight loss was significantly greater in the low calorie (LC) group (-11.2 versus -6.1 kg, p < .001) and was maintained better at the 18-month assessment (-7.5 versus -1.8 kg, p < .001).
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with 48 completers, 18-month follow-up, and statistically significant results (p < .001), though attrition was noted.
Source
Calorie restriction is more effective for obesity treatment than dietary fat restriction
Jean Harvey‐Berino · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · 1999
DOI 10.1007/bf02895031
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