Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
5/8/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Ruth Litchfield, Food Science and Human Nutrition (515) 294-9484, litch@iastate.edu
Barb Abbott, Continuing Education and Communication Services (515) 294-4843,
babbott@iastate.edu
Will the Diet Die with the Doctor?
AMES, Iowa -- Although the Atkin's Diet has become a household name for fast weight loss, will it lose favor with the recent death of its creator, Dr. Robert Atkins? The 'New Revolution' diet also claims to relieve fatigue, irritability, depression, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, joint and muscle aches, heartburn, colitis, premenstrual syndrome, water retention and bloating. "Who wouldn't want to try it?" said Ruth Litchfield, Iowa State University Extension nutrition specialist.
Supporters for the Atkin's Diet have said the percentage of fat in the American diet has been decreasing for the past two decades, while weight has continued to rise. "While this is true, the AMOUNT of fat consumed has climbed steadily, right along with total calories. Over the last 30 years, individual caloric consumption increased by 18 percent. Per capita fat consumption increased by 4-5 percent. The bottom line is we are eating more of everything," Litchfield said.
Focusing on fat as the lone culprit for being overweight and for obesity
has been misinterpreted by many as permission to eat as many calories
as desired from the other energy-providing nutrients, according to Litchfield.
Recent research from the University of Illinois has fueled support for the Atkin's Diet once again. Published in the February 2003 Journal of Nutrition, Donald K. Layman and colleagues reported that moderately high protein diets promoted weight loss and improved body composition, blood lipid profiles and glucose control in adult women.
"It is important to note that the Illinois diet was designated as moderately high in protein, which is quite similar to current protein consumption trends. In contrast, the Atkin's diet begins with a 20 gm carbohydrate restriction/day and liberal amounts of protein and fat. This level of carbohydrate intake does not meet the minimum daily requirement of 130 gm necessary to support the central nervous system, red blood cells and other glucose dependent tissues.
"Many popular diets focus on restriction or promotion of a specific nutrient or food in order to seem 'easy' to consumers. Do low carbohydrate diets work? Yes. Do low fat diets work? Yes. Do low protein diets work? Yes. Weight loss occurs when there is a reduction in total calories and an increase in physical activity," Litchfield said. "But these popular diets are not effective or safe for long-term weight loss or maintenance."
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