Weight-control approaches: a review by the California Dietetic Association

Weight reduction is considered a therapeutic success if weight loss is maintained with no expense to overall health. The California Dietetic Association, a professional organization including 5,000 registered dietitians, proposes, on the basis of a review of the current scientific literature, the following criteria for health-safety evaluation of dietary approaches. A weight-reduction diet should (a) satisfy all nutrient needs except energy, (b) meet individual tastes and habits, (c) minimize hunger and fatigue, (d) be readily obtainable and socially acceptable, (e) favor the establishment of a changed eating pattern, and (f) be conducive to improvement of overall health. Characteristics of diet approaches associated with poor outcome include (a) very-low-calorie diets, which promote rapid weight loss, (b) extremes of macronutrient restriction, and (c) reliance on formula diets or special products. The use of diets, surgery, drugs, exercise, and behavior modification is discussed.