On September 3rd, 20 14, scientists analyzed the results of nearly 50 studies involving 7300 subjects. The results show that a series of well-known diet control schemes such as Atkins diet, South Beach diet, Zone diet, the biggest loser diet, Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem can all bring significant weight loss effects, but there is not much difference among these diet schemes. The study was published in JAMA. Various schemes have different emphases, for example, some emphasize carbohydrate control, while others focus on reducing fat intake.

For obese patients, the role of these diet control programs has been controversial. Each plan may have different main ideas, such as low carbohydrate, low fat or balanced nutrition. Overweight patients are also eager to know which scheme will bring better results.

Therefore, the researchers of Toronto Children's Disease Center made a detailed summary of the previous medical literature. In these studies, overweight or obese patients (body mass index ≥25) were randomly assigned to the designated dietary intervention group, and the changes of weight or body mass index were reported by self-test every 3 months or longer during the follow-up period.

This meta-analysis * * * includes 59 papers, of which * * * reports 48 randomized controlled clinical studies (***7286 subjects). In the analysis of diet classification, after correcting the influence of exercise and behavior support, it can be seen that all the subjects who received specific diet guidance had better weight loss effect than those who did not. Compared with patients without diet control, patients on low carbohydrate diet lost 19.2 pounds (8.73 kilograms) on average, and patients on low fat diet lost similar weight (17.6 pounds, 8 kilograms).

During the follow-up of 6~ 12 months, these diets can bring 2.2~4.4 pounds (1~2 kg) more extra weight loss than those who don't control the diet. Low-fat and low-carbohydrate diet has the greatest weight loss effect.