[Possibilities for weight reduction by means of diet]

The different dietetic measures for weight reduction are described. According to the existing overweight the therapeutic measures are classified in four steps. In the first step, with low overweight, the energy-containing drinks (soft drinks and alcoholic beverages) are avoided. If the overweight is greater an additional reduction of the energy content of meal is required. A real reduction-diet (less than 1.000 Kcal/day or 4.200 KJ/day) demands extensive knowledge of food composition and greater efforts in meal composition. The availability of formula diets is considered as a relief. During starvation (or total fasting) as the step 4 of weight reduction diet, an extreme metabolic alteration takes place, which is characterized by ketosis. The same metabolic alteration is found by a fat-protein-diet (a so-called ketogenic diet), where hypercholesterolemia and hyperuricemia are common side effects. The carbohydrate-protein weight reduction diet is poor in health risks. Furthermore the normal metabolic pattern is maintained during this kind of diet if enough carbohydrates are provided per day (i.e. 80-100 g/day).