Summary of dietary interventions used in obesity management
| Intervention | Definition | Clinical impact and Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | ||
| Low-calorie diet13-15) | Daily energy intake of 1,000–1,500 kcal or 500–750 kcal deficit from total energy expenditure | Recommended as the initial strategy Effective for moderate weight loss over 6–12 months Requires long-term adherence for maintenance |
| Very-low-calorie diet18,19,21) | Daily energy intake <800 kcal | Rapid weight loss Requires medical supervision due to potential adverse effects |
| Meal replacement23,26) | Replacement of one or two meals daily with pre-packaged, calorie-controlled products | Simplifies calorie tracking, reduces overeating triggers, and supports adherence May require monitoring for nutrient adequacy |
| Macronutrient | ||
| Low-carbohydrate diet26,31,32) | Carbohydrate intake 20%–45% of total daily energy or 60–130 g/d | Might be useful for initial weight loss, but long-term results are similar to following a low-fat diet Effective in type 2 diabetes Minimizing refined carbohydrates and added sugars is recommended |
| Very-low-carbohydrate diet30,35,36) | Carbohydrate intake 20–50 g/d, often inducing ketosis | May decrease appetite Long-term safety is unknown Requires monitoring for nutrient adequacy and is contraindicated in specific conditions (e.g., pregnancy, renal disease) |
| Low-fat diet26,37) | Fat intake <30% of total daily energy | Effective for weight loss and cardiometabolic risk reduction |
| High-protein diet40,43) | Protein intake 25%–30% of total daily energy or 1–1.2 g/kg of ideal body weight/d | Improves satiety, supports lean mass preservation during weight loss Needs caution in high-protein diets from animal sources |
| Timing | ||
| Time-restricted diet58-60) | Eating within a limited daily time window (e.g., 16:8 fasting to eating hours) | May improve weight, insulin sensitivity, and blood pressure Evidence for long-term benefits is limited |
| Diet patterns | ||
| Mediterranean67,68) | Emphasis on a high intake of fruit, low-fat dairy, vegetables, grains, nuts, and dietary pulses and a low intake of red meat, processed meat, and sweets | Promotes weight loss; improves glycemic control in diabetes Reduces cardiovascular risk |
| DASH74,76) | High intake of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, grains; low in red meats and processed foods | Aids in losing weight, but the differences were relatively small Reduces the cardiovascular risk factors, and mortality |
| Vegetarian78,79) | A plant-based dietary pattern that includes four main variants (lacto-ovo vegetarian, lacto vegetarian, vegetarian and vegan) | Effective for cardiometabolic improvements Risk of micronutrient deficiencies if not well planned |
| Nordic83,84) | Focus on unprocessed whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, fish, low-fat dairy foods, lean meat of all types (beef, pork, lamb), beans and lentils, fruit, dense breads, tofu, and skinless poultry | Linked to weight loss and improved metabolic health May be less accessible or affordable for some populations |
DASH, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.