Transcript Fad Diets - Welcome to East Aurora School District

Fad Diets
Kristen Strong, R.D.
According to a recent survey…
26 percent of women and 19 percent of
men in the United States said they were
on a diet.
 60 percent of U.S. adults say "they would
like to lose 20 pounds"

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/01/10/diets.survey.reut/index.html
America on the Scale
Overweight Adults: 65% (120 million)
 Obese Adults: 31%
 Children age 6-19 who are overweight or
at risk of becoming overweight: 30%
 Overweight children with at least one
overweight parent have an 80% chance of
being overweight as adults
 Average American gains 1-2 pounds a
year through adulthood

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2004
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” person)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
20%–24%
≥25%
If so many want to
lose weight and
need to…
Why are we failing to do so?
Set Point Theory
Set Point is a particular weight range your
body fights to maintain
 Contributing Factors:

 Heredity, Age,

Health, and Activity Level
Your body defends this set point by
altering:
 Metabolism,
Efficiency in burning calories,
and Intensity of hunger
Set Point

Increases with:
 Age
 Chronic
Dieting
 Chronic Overeating
 Long-term Depression
 Maintaining a weight above set-point

Decreases with:
 Exercise
 Nicotine
 Some
drugs
The Weight Cycling Effect of
Repeated Dieting
“Each round
of dieting is
followed by a
rebound of
weight to a
higher level
than before.”
Understanding Nutrition, 8th
ed.
Pg 262
Recommendations for Healthy
Weight Loss


No more than1 to 2 pounds a week
“Rapid weight loss may cause serious health
problems.”

Nausea, headaches, and dizziness
 Death


“Rapid weight loss is a loss of more than 1 ½ to 2
pounds per week or weight loss of more than 1
percent of body weight per week after the second
week of participation in a weight-loss program”
It is important to consult a physician prior to beginning
any weight-loss program.
Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pg 261
FAD DIETS:
“Anyone who wants to believe in
them is forced to wonder how the
thousands of scientists working on
obesity research over the past
century could possibly have missed
such obvious connections.”
Understanding Nutrition,
8th ed. Pg 251
What is a Fad Diet?

A fad diet is a weight loss plan or aid that
promises dramatic results. These diets
don't offer long-term success, and they are
usually not very healthy.
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Heart Association

“We want to inform the public about
misleading weight-loss claims. Many of
these diets — like the infamous Cabbage
Soup Diet — can undermine your health,
cause physical discomfort and lead to
disappointment when you regain weight
soon after you lose it…
American Heart Association

“Quick-weight-loss
diets usually overemphasize one
particular food or type of food. They violate the first
principle of good nutrition: Eat a balanced diet that
includes a variety of foods. If you are able to stay on
such a diet for more than a few weeks, you may develop
nutritional deficiencies, because no one type of food has
all the nutrients you need for good health. The Cabbage
Soup Diet mentioned above is an example. This socalled fat-burning soup is eaten mostly with fruits and
vegetables. The diet supposedly helps heart patients
lose 10–17 pounds in seven days before surgery. There
are no "superfoods." That's why you should eat
moderate amounts from all food groups, not large
amounts of a few special foods…
American Heart Association

“These diets also violate a second
important principle of good nutrition:
Eating should be enjoyable. These diets
are so monotonous and boring that it's
almost impossible to stay on them for long
periods.”
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4584
How to identify Fad Diets
Promise dramatic, rapid weight loss
 Promote diets that are nutritionally
unbalanced or extremely low in calories
 Use liquid formulas rather than foods.
 Attempt to make clients dependent upon
special foods or devices.
 Fail to encourage permanent, realistic
lifestyle changes.

Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pg 253
How to identify Fad Diets
Misrepresent salespeople as “counselors”
supposedly qualified to give guidance in
nutrition and or general health.
 Collect large sums of money at the start or
require that clients sign contracts for
expensive, long-term programs.
 Fail to inform clients of the risks
associated with weight loss in general or
the specific program being promoted.

Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pg 253
How to identify Fad Diets
Promote unproven or spurious weight-loss
aids such as starch blockers, diuretics,
sauna belts, body wraps, passive
exercise, ear stapling, acupuncture,
electric muscle-stimulating devices, amino
acid supplements, “unique” ingredients,
etc
 Fail to provide for weight maintenance
after the program ends.

Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pg 253
If fad diets don't work, why are
they so popular?

“People are often willing to try anything that
promises to help them lose weight because they
want to look or feel better, or because they are
worried about getting weight-related diseases.
Companies that promote fad diets take
advantage of this fact. They appeal to people by
promising weight loss that's very quick and easy.
Many people prefer to try the quick fix of a fad
diet instead of making the effort to lose weight
through long-term changes in their eating and
exercise habits.”
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
If fad diets don't work, why are
they so popular?

“Fad diets also become popular because many of them
do work for a short time. In many cases, this is because
when you stop eating certain types of food or eat
“special” combinations of foods, you are getting fewer
calories than you normally would. You are also paying
more attention to what you are eating. However, it’s likely
that much of the weight you lose is from water and lean
muscle, not body fat. Also, most people are not able to
keep up with the demands of a diet that strictly limits
their food choices or requires them to eat the same
foods over and over again. People who use fad diets
usually end up gaining back any weight that they lost.”
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
Top 10 Fad Diets

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Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution
by Robert C. Atkins, M.D.
Mastering the Zone
by Barry Sears, Ph.D.
Eat Right For Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer and Achieving Your
Ideal Weight
by Peter J. D’Adamo, M.D.
Sugar Busters!: Cut Sugar to Trim Fat
by H. Leighton Steward, Morrison C. Bethea, M.D., Sam S. Andrews, M.D., Ralph O. Brennan, Luis A. Balart,
M.D.
Eat More, Weigh Less
by Dean Ornish, M.D.
The Pritikin Weight Loss Breakthrough: Five Easy Steps to Outsmart Your Fat Instinct
by Robert Pritikin.
The New Cabbage Soup Diet
by Margaret Danbrot
The Grapefruit Diet
by originator unknown
The New Beverly Hills Diet
by Judy Mazel
Neander-Thin: Eat Like a Caveman to Achieve a Lean, Strong, Healthy Body
by Ray Audette
Categories of Fad Diets
Controlled Carbohydrates
 High Carbohydrate & Low Fat
 Controlled Portion Sizes
 Food Combining
 Liquid Diets
 Diet Pills & Herbal Remedies

Controlled Carbohydrates
Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution
 The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet
 Protein Power
 Sugar Busters
 The Zone

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
High Carbohydrate & Low Fat
Dr. Dean Ornish: Eat More, Weigh Less
 The Good Carbohydrate Revolution
 The Pritkin Principle

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
Controlled Portion Sizes
Dr. Shapiro’s Picture Perfect Weight Loss
 Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
Food Combining
Fit for Life
 Suzanne Somers’ Somersizing

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
Liquid Diets
Cambridge diet
 Slim-Fast

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
Diet Pills & Herbal Remedies
Dexatrim Natural
 Hydroxycut
 Metabolife 356

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
Other

Eat Right For Your Type: The Blood Type
Diet
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Website: http://familydoctor.org/784.xml
Atkins Diet–
“Carbohydrates are bad…”
Picture from: http://www.faddiet.com/atkinsdiet.html
Atkins’ Diet Timeline

1972: “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution”

1992: “Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution”
What’s the difference?
Diet
Current Diet
Recommendations
Dr. Atkins’ New Diet
Revolution
% Carbohydrate
% Protein
% Fat
55 or more
15
30 or
less
10
30
60
Calories
500-1,000 below
usual daily intake
1,500 per day
What’s the appeal?
Turns current diet recommendations
upside down
 Eat as much fat, meat, and dairy as you
like
 Ignore fruits, vegetables, and grains
 “Steaks without the potatoes, ribs without
the coleslaw, and meatballs without the
pasta.”

Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pg 251
What’s the appeal?
Blame current diet recommendations for
our obesity epidemic
 Facts:

 Obesity
has risen
 Fat intake has dropped from 36 to 34 percent
 BUT… energy intake increased by 200 kcals
a day  actual fat intake has increased by 4
grams a day!
Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pg 251
Why does it work?

Weight loss results because of a reduction
in calorie intake

Protein is the most satiating…people feel
more full… they eat less (it’s the calories)

Provides a guide… eliminating decision
making
What are the risks?
Nausea
 Fatigue
 Constipation
 Low blood pressure
 Elevated uric acid
 Stale foul taste in the mouth

Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pg 252
What are the risks?
Shift from lean body mass to fat
 High protein usually means high fat! Diets
high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol
are risk factors for heart disease and
atherosclerosis
 Without fruits, vegetables, and grains the
diet lacks fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pg 252
National Nutrition Month 07’
American Dietetics Association: www.eatright.org
Key Messages: National Nutrition
Month 07’

“Develop an eating plan for lifelong health.
Too often people adopt the latest food fad
rather than focusing on overall health. Get
back to basics and use the Dietary
Guidelines 2005 and MyPyramid as your
guide to healthy eating.”
American Dietetics Association: www.eatright.org
Key Messages: National Nutrition
Month 07’

“Choose foods sensibly by looking at the
big picture. A single food or meal doesn’t
make or break a healthful diet. When
consumed in moderation in the
appropriate portion size, all foods can fit
into a healthful diet.”
American Dietetics Association: www.eatright.org
Key Messages: National Nutrition
Month 07’

“Food and nutrition misinformation can have
harmful effects on your health and well-being, as
well as your wallet. Registered dietitians are
uniquely qualified to communicate current and
emerging science-based nutrition information
and are an instrumental part of developing a diet
plan that is unique to your particular needs.”
American Dietetics Association: www.eatright.org
Key Messages: National Nutrition
Month 07’

“Learn how to spot a food fad.
Unreasonable or exaggerated claims that
eating (or not eating) specific foods,
nutrient supplements or combinations of
foods may cure disease or offer quick
weight loss are key features of fad diets.”
American Dietetics Association: www.eatright.org
Key Messages: National Nutrition
Month 07’

“Find your balance between food and
physical activity. Regular physical activity
is important for your overall health and
fitness plus it helps control body weight,
promotes a feeling of well-being and
reduces the risk of chronic diseases.”
American Dietetics Association: www.eatright.org
Weight
Loss
Emphasize nutrient
denseTips
foods

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Eat small portions of foods at each meal
Share a restaurant meal with a friend or take home half for lunch
tomorrow
Make legumes, grains, vegetables, and fruits central to your diet
plan
Follow the Dietary Guidelines
Eat slowly
Limit high-fat foods
Limit concentrated sweets and alcoholic beverages
Drink plenty of water
Participate in physical activity regularly
Limit liquid calories: choose whole fruits rather than
juices, and avoid sugary soft drinks and alcohol
Understanding Nutrition, 8th ed. Pgs 268-269
Metabolism during dieting
and fasting