Comparison of the effects of four commercially available weight-loss programmes on lipid-based cardiovascular risk factors
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relative efficacy of four popular weight-loss programmes on plasma lipids and lipoproteins as measures of CVD risk. DESIGN: A multi-centred, randomised, controlled trial of four diets - Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution, The Slim-Fast Plan, Weight Watchers Pure Points programme and Rosemary Conley's 'Eat yourself Slim' Diet and Fitness Plan - against a control diet, in parallel for 6 months. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The trial was conducted at five universities across the UK (Surrey, Nottingham, Ulster (Coleraine), Bristol and Edinburgh (Queen Margaret University College)) and involved the participation of 300 overweight and obese males and females aged 21-60 years in a community setting. RESULTS: Significant weight loss was achieved by all dieting groups (5-9 kg at 6 months) but no significant difference was observed between diets at 6 months. The Weight Watchers and Rosemary Conley (low-fat) diets were followed by significant reductions in plasma LDL cholesterol (both -12.2 % after 6 months, P < 0.01), whereas the Atkins (low-carbohydrate) and Weight Watchers diets were followed by marked reductions in plasma TAG (-38.2 % and -22.6 % at 6 months respectively, P < 0.01). These latter two diets were associated with an increase in LDL particle size, a change that has been linked to reduced CVD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these results demonstrate the favourable effects of weight loss on lipid-mediated CVD risk factors that can be achieved through commercially available weight-loss programmes. No detrimental effects on lipid-based CVD risk factors were observed in participants consuming a low-carbohydrate diet.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In analyses excluding studies including subjects with associated metabolic disorders, weighted mean differences were similar to the primary meta-analysis for body weight, TAG, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol.
“In analyses that excluded studies including subjects with associated metabolic disorders (11,28,29,34,37,38) , the WMD was similar as in the primary meta-analysis for body weight (six studies), TAG (six studies), TC (one study), HDL-cholesterol (six studies) and LDL-cholesterol (six studies).”
From Effects of low-carbohydrate diets<i>v</i>. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (2016) · cites this paper as [29]
Several studies showed that macronutrient composition did not seem to be the determining factor in the effectiveness of losing weight when energy intake is also decreased.
“Several studies showed that macronutrient composition did not seem to be the determining factor in the effectiveness of losing weight when energy intake is also decreased (14,29,36,38)”
From Effects of low-carbohydrate diets<i>v</i>. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (2016) · cites this paper as [29]
Only one study in the current meta-analysis investigated LDL-cholesterol particle size.
“Only one study in the current meta-analysis investigated LDL-cholesterol particle size (29)”
From Effects of low-carbohydrate diets<i>v</i>. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (2016) · cites this paper as [29]
In that subgroup analysis, body weight did not remain significant, whereas diastolic blood pressure became significantly different between low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets after excluding studies with unclear or high risk of bias.
“In addition, body weight did not remain signi fi cant, whereas DBP became signi fi cantly different between LC and LF diets after excluding studies with unclear or high risk of bias (29,30,35,39) .”
From Effects of low-carbohydrate diets<i>v</i>. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (2016) · cites this paper as [29]
Weight reduction itself leads to a shift towards pattern A.
“This supports the view that weight reduction itself leads to a shift towards pattern A.”
From Effects of low-carbohydrate diets<i>v</i>. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (2016) · cites this paper as [29]
LC dieters reduced their energy intake up to 30%, which was a significant reduction compared with baseline intake and comparable with subjects on the LF diet.
“LC dieters reduced the energy intake upto 30 %, which was a signi fi cant reduction compared with baseline intake and comparable with subjects on the LF diet (11,27 -29,30,36,38)”
From Effects of low-carbohydrate diets<i>v</i>. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (2016) · cites this paper as [29]
Cites
Matthews, D. R., Hosker, J. P., Rudenski, A. S., Naylor, B. A., Treacher, D. F., & Turner, R. C. (1985) · Diabetologia · doi:10.1007/bf00280883 · Cited by 31,502 · see citing works
A Randomized Trial of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet for Obesity
Foster, G. D., Wyatt, H. R., Hill, J. O., McGuckin, B. G., Brill, C., Mohammed, B. S., Szapary, P. O., Rader, D. J., Edman, J. S., & Klein, S. (2003) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmoa022207 · Cited by 1,794 · see citing works
Atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype. A proposed genetic marker for coronary heart disease risk
Austin, M. A., King, M. C., Vranizan, K. M., & Krauss, R. M. (1990) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/01.cir.82.2.495 · Cited by 1,411 · see citing works
A Low-Carbohydrate as Compared with a Low-Fat Diet in Severe Obesity
Samaha, F. F., Iqbal, N., Seshadri, P., Chicano, K. L., Daily, D. A., McGrory, J., Williams, T., Williams, M., Gracely, E. J., & Stern, L. (2003) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmoa022637 · Cited by 1,267 · see citing works
Yu-Poth, S., Zhao, G., Etherton, T., Naglak, M., Jonnalagadda, S., & Kris-Etherton, P. M. (1999) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/69.4.632 · Cited by 584 · see citing works
Truby, H., Baic, S., deLooy, A., Fox, K. R., Livingstone, M. B. E., Logan, C. M., Macdonald, I. A., Morgan, L. M., Taylor, M. A., & Millward, D. J. (2006) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.38833.411204.80 · Cited by 284 · see citing works
Self-citationLow-density-lipoprotein subclasses and response to a low-fat diet in healthy men
Krauss, R., & Dreon, D. (1995) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/62.2.478s · Cited by 144 · cited 2× · see citing works
“There is evidence to suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effect of both low-fat (high-carbohydrate) and high-fat (low-carbohydrate) diets is much greater in people with a small, dense LDL phenotype((11)).”
BackgroundEffects of high-protein, low-carbohydrate dieting on plasma lipoproteins and body weight
LAROSA, J. C., FRY, A. G., MUESING, R., & ROSING, D. R. (1980) · Journal of the American Dietetic Association · doi:10.1016/s1094-7159(21)03514-5 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
2013 AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
Jensen, M. D., Ryan, D. H., Apovian, C. M., Ard, J. D., Comuzzie, A. G., Donato, K. A., Hu, F. B., Hubbard, V. S., Jakicic, J. M., Kushner, R. F., et al. (2014) · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2013.11.004 · Cited by 4,058 · see citing works
2013 AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
Jensen, M. D., Ryan, D. H., Apovian, C. M., Ard, J. D., Comuzzie, A. G., Donato, K. A., Hu, F. B., Hubbard, V. S., Jakicic, J. M., Kushner, R. F., et al. (2014) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/01.cir.0000437739.71477.ee · Cited by 2,735 · see citing works
“The remaining 51 trials (72 articles) were rated good or fair quality (22,23,69-138), and included in the evidence base that was used to formulate the ESs and recommendations.”
BackgroundGarvey, W. T., Mechanick, J. I., Brett, E. M., Garber, A. J., Hurley, D. L., Jastreboff, A. M., Nadolsky, K., Pessah-Pollack, R., & Plodkowski, R. (2016) · Endocrine Practice · doi:10.4158/ep161365.gl · Cited by 1,914 · see citing works
Comparison of Weight Loss Among Named Diet Programs in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Meta-analysis
Johnston, B. C., Kanters, S., Bandayrel, K., Wu, P., Naji, F., Siemieniuk, R. A., Ball, G. D. C., Busse, J. W., Thorlund, K., Guyatt, G., et al. (2014) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.2014.10397 · Cited by 704 · see citing works
Mansoor, N., Vinknes, K. J., Veierød, M. B., & Retterstøl, K. (2016) · British Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114515004699 · Cited by 439 · see citing works
Kirkpatrick, C. F., Bolick, J. P., Kris-Etherton, P. M., Sikand, G., Aspry, K. E., Soffer, D. E., Willard, K.-E., & Maki, K. C. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Lipidology · doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2019.08.003 · Cited by 390 · see citing works
Efficacy of Commercial Weight-Loss Programs: An Updated Systematic Review
Gudzune, K. A., Doshi, R. S., Mehta, A. K., Chaudhry, Z. W., Jacobs, D. K., Vakil, R. M., Lee, C. J., Bleich, S. N., & Clark, J. M. (2015) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/m14-2238 · Cited by 325 · see citing works
Harris, L., Hamilton, S., Azevedo, L. B., Olajide, J., De Brún, C., Waller, G., Whittaker, V., Sharp, T., Lean, M., Hankey, C., et al. (2018) · JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports · doi:10.11124/jbisrir-2016-003248 · Cited by 319 · see citing works
Santos, F. L., Esteves, S. S., da Costa Pereira, A., Yancy Jr, W. S., & Nunes, J. P. L. (2012) · Obesity Reviews · doi:10.1111/j.1467-789x.2012.01021.x · Cited by 318 · see citing works
Naude, C. E., Schoonees, A., Senekal, M., Young, T., Garner, P., & Volmink, J. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100652 · Cited by 252 · see citing works
Rock, C. L., Flatt, S. W., Sherwood, N. E., Karanja, N., Pakiz, B., & Thomson, C. A. (2010) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.2010.1503 · Cited by 173 · see citing works
Varady, K. A., Bhutani, S., Klempel, M. C., & Kroeger, C. M. (2011) · Lipids in Health and Disease · doi:10.1186/1476-511x-10-119 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Gjuladin-Hellon, T., Davies, I. G., Penson, P., & Amiri Baghbadorani, R. (2019) · Nutrition Reviews · doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuy049 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Atallah, R., Filion, K. B., Wakil, S. M., Genest, J., Joseph, L., Poirier, P., Rinfret, S., Schiffrin, E. L., & Eisenberg, M. J. (2014) · Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes · doi:10.1161/circoutcomes.113.000723 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Sex differences in the composition of weight gain and loss in overweight and obese adults
Millward, D. J., Truby, H., Fox, K. R., Livingstone, M. B. E., Macdonald, I. A., & Tothill, P. (2014) · British Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114513003103 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Self-citationVarady, K. A., Bhutani, S., Klempel, M. C., & Lamarche, B. (2011) · British Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114510003788 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Bauer, K., Lau, T., Schwille‐Kiuntke, J., Schild, S., Hauner, H., Stengel, A., Zipfel, S., & Mack, I. (2020) · European Eating Disorders Review · doi:10.1002/erv.2741 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Chaudhry, Z. W., Doshi, R. S., Mehta, A. K., Jacobs, D. K., Vakil, R. M., Lee, C. J., Bleich, S. N., Kalyani, R. R., Clark, J. M., & Gudzune, K. A. (2016) · Obesity Reviews · doi:10.1111/obr.12423 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
- Authors
- Morgan, L., Griffin, B., Millward, D., DeLooy, A., Fox, K., Baic, S., Bonham, M., Wallace, J., MacDonald, I., Taylor, M., & Truby, H.
- Affiliations
- University of Surrey (GB)
- Queen Margaret University (GB)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- University of Ulster (GB)
- University of Nottingham (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Morgan, LM
- Venue
- Public Health Nutrition
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2009-06
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 799-807
- ISSN
- 1368-9800 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-2727
- OpenAlex
- W2155102273
- Cited by
- 115
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 1.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Public Health Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (publishedVersion)
- Open Research (University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
- Surrey Research Insight Open Access (The University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
- Explore Bristol Research (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
- Keywords
- weight loss diet, plasma lipids, lipoproteins, cardiovascular risk factors, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL particle size, low-carbohydrate diet, Atkins diet, Weight Watchers, low-fat diet, overweight and obesity, diet comparison
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diet, Reducing, Female, Food, Formulated, United Kingdom, Humans, Lipids, Cholesterol, HDL, Cholesterol, LDL, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Risk Factors, Triglycerides, Weight Loss, Exercise, Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
