PubMed · 13995726
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
J VAGUE, M TEITELBAUM, G SEGUY. 1963-04-25. [The reducing diet].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13995726/
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
Among the strategies suggested to face obesity epidemics there is also a mere reduction of only 100-200 kcal day, i.e. less mouthfuls of food and a little more walking every day. Are these proposals "simple and feasible" or, vice versa, "simplicistic and unrealistic" solutions? A possible source of such confusion comes firstly from dietary guidelines: the "food pyramid" may easily lead to misinterpretation as low-fat foods enriched in simple sugars produce similar metabolic abnormalities as saturated fat rich foods. Replacement of fruit derived fructose with other fructose-enriched beverages is not adequately considered. In total, 45-60 min of moderately intense physical activity, instead of "few steps", daily appears a more realistic evaluation of the role of physical activity in energy balance but is still an unrealistic intervention strategy in many obese individuals requiring a long preliminary rehabilitation period. Another complaint is the current poor distinction between "preventive, population oriented" and "therapeutic, clinical" intervention strategies possibly due to the long duration of the latent "preclinical" phase of the disease and the scarcity of safe and effective drugs. Obesity may be considered a "culture-bound" disease and as such it requires a proper cultural, political and educational strategies. The number of obesity clinics worldwide is too limited; educational interventions in the crucial period of the developmental age are lacky. The social science content of medical school curricula, and teaching healthy behaviours, needs to be improved. In conclusion, a deeper reflection from Medical Societies on the relationship between the negative aspects of the "transition diet" and "globalization process" may help to produce really "simple" and more successful strategies against obesity epidemics and its complications.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Obesity is a fast growing epidemic that is primarily due to environmental influences. Nutrition and exercise represent modifiable factors with a major impact on energy balance. Despite considerable research, there remains continued debate regarding the energy content and the optimal macronutrient distribution for promoting healthy and effective weight loss. Low-fat diets have been advised for many years to reduce obesity. However, their effectiveness has been recently challenged, partly because the prevalence of obesity continues to rise despite reductions in fat intake. There are also concerns regarding the methodology of clinical trials showing benefits of fat reduction on weight loss. Although often viewed as a fad diet, very low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets are very popular and several recent clinical trials indicate they are more effective at promoting short-term weight loss and improving characteristics of the metabolic syndrome than low-fat diets. However, there is a need to obtain long-term safety and efficacy data. Clearly, weight loss can be achieved with a variety of diet interventions but the effects on other health-related aspects also need to be considered and studied in more detail. Exercise can have positive effects on weight loss, weight control and overall general health, although debate exists concerning the most effective mode, duration and intensity of exercise required to achieve these effects. Importantly, any effective weight control treatment must consider a life-long plan or there will likely be weight regain. Perhaps the most challenging, but rewarding, question that faces researchers is how to predict individual responses to diet and exercise interventions.