Energy balance
Ad libitum low-fat diets produce a statistically significant, dose-dependent weight loss in overweight individuals without requiring active energy restriction.
To lose weight without counting calories, reduce the percentage of your daily energy coming from fat. This meta-analysis shows that simply lowering fat intake (while eating ad libitum) leads to an average loss of about 2.5 kg in overweight individuals over several months. The key is that low-fat foods are less energy-dense, which naturally reduces total calorie intake.
The weighted difference in weight loss between intervention and control groups was 2.55 kg (95 % CI, 1.5–3.5; P < 0.0001)... A reduction in dietary fat without restriction of total energy intake prevents weight gain in subjects of normal weight and produces a weight loss in overweight subjects.
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials with 1728 participants, though excluding obese subjects and noting variability.
Source
The role of dietary fat in body fatness: evidence from a preliminary meta-analysis of ad libitum low-fat dietary intervention studies
Arne Astrup et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2000
DOI 10.1017/s0007114500000921
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- The magnitude of weight loss on a low-fat diet is positively correlated with initial body weight and the percentage reduction in dietary fat.Good
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