Research
Mixed
Higher diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), is associated with greater weight loss in the early stages (4 months) of a weight-loss intervention, regardless of macronutrient distribution.
Focus on improving your overall diet quality by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. This approach is linked to better weight loss outcomes, especially in the first few months of a diet, regardless of whether you choose a low-fat or moderate-fat diet.
GoodSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Higher Healthy Eating Index scores were associated with greater weight loss at 4 months (r = −0.2; P < 0.05).
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with correlation analysis.
Source
The Weight Optimization Revamping Lifestyle using the Dietary Guidelines (WORLD) Study: Sustained Weight Loss Over 12 Months
Tricia Psota et al. · Obesity · 2020
DOI 10.1002/oby.22824
rct · n=101Cited 9×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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