WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | How to find a diet that works

How to find a diet that works

By Lori Lyle - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Millions of Americans committed to losing weight may want to chew on this. A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds the best way to keep those pounds off is to limit the amount of calories, regardless of the type of diet plan you choose.

If you're looking to drop a few pounds and keep it off, calories - not the proportion of fat, carbs or protein - could be the most important ingredient.

"The key to losing weight is all about knowing how much you're really putting into your mouth," said Dr. Frank Sacks of the Harvard School of Public Health, the author of the study.

That is according to an extensive study that found overweight adults who focused on caloric intake, shed the pounds regardless of the diet plan.

"It's all about calories, it's energy in and if you take too much in your body, it is going to store it and that's what happens over the long run," Dr. Sacks said.

Over a two-year period, participants lost an average of 13 pounds and maintained an average weight loss of nine pounds. Rudy Termini followed a higher fat, regular protein diet, but cut his calories by 500 a day.

"I used to eat a lot of ice-cream, that is now down to a cup, I have a piece of fruit, one glass of wine a night," said Rudy.

Researchers say sticking with heart-healthy, low-calories foods, along with moderate exercise, can reduce the risk of health and heart problems.

"It's the balance between reducing calorie intake and then increasing the number of calories we burn through exercise and physical activity," said Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, director of the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute.

Diet and fitness experts say the findings should give millions of obese and overweight Americans hope they can achieve their goals.

"This study shows that people can be successful on any sort of plan, and I think it's important to take into account patient preference and to make them to feel comfortable," said Dr. Howard J. Eisenson, executive director of the Duke Diet and Fitness Center.

Another factor to losing weight and keeping it off is having a support system.

"The support group played a huge role in my success, made a huge difference," said Debbie Mayer, a study participant.

It is a huge difference in helping shed unwanted and unhealthy pounds.

The study followed more than 800 overweight and obese adults ranging in age from 30 to 70. Each followed one of four diets.