Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets: the Atkins diet as a feasible alternative for 12-month weight loss in overweight premenopausal women

A 12-month randomized trial was conducted in 311 overweight nondiabetic premenopausal women so as to compare 4 weight-loss diets with low to high carbohydrate contents (Atkins, Zone, LEARN and Ornish). At the end of the 12-month trial period, weight loss was greater in the low-carbohydrate Atkins group than in the other groups, and the difference between the Atkins and the Zone diets was statistically significant (P<0.05) while there was no statistical difference between the Zone, LEARN, and Ornish groups. For the Atkins group, secondary variables such as lipid profile, percentage of body fat, waist-hip ratio, fasting insulin and glucose levels, and blood pressure were comparable with, or more favourable than the other diet groups. While numerous questions remain about its long-term effects, the Atkins diet may be considered as a feasible alternative for intermediate duration weight loss in non-diabetic overweight premenopausal women.

Abstract

Keywords:
Blood glucose – Blood pressure – BMI – Dietary intervention – HDL-cholesterol – LDL-cholesterol – Obesity – Overweight – Triglycerides – Waist-to-hip ratio