Researchers determine which diet plans actually work

Research at Johns Hopkins University, which looked into existing studies, has produced results which indicate which diet plans they believe are effective in causing weight loss, and which diet plans are not.
Only a small number of the 4,200 diet studies that they analysed were found to have reliable data, gained from clinical trials, supporting their case. This led to the researchers examining just 11 diet plans in more detail.
These diet plans were: Atkins, Biggest Loser Club, eDiets, HMR, Jenny Craig, Lose it!, Medifast, NutriSystem, Optifast, SlimFast and Weight Watchers.
Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig were two of the best for long-term weight loss, whilst Atkins was also considered to be a good scorer. Their clinical trials lasted for at least one year, and showed that people following the diet plans experienced a greater weight loss than people who did not follow the diet plan.
“We want people to experience the health benefits of weight loss – lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, and lower risk of developing diseases like diabetes,” said Jeanne Clark, a professor of medicine.
There are many diets plans available, but not all of them are effective, and many do not have sufficient evidence to establish them as being reliable. Due to the rise in obesity over the years, doctors and other healthcare workers have been increasingly under pressure to give effective instructions to the others. This is why the US scientists undertook the study, which they claim has identified effective diets plans.
The authors said: “Doctors need to know which programmes have rigorous trials showing they work, but they haven’t had much evidence to rely on. Our review should give clinicians a better idea of what programmes they might consider for their patients,” and published their findings in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Reducing your consumption of processed foods and sugar, whilst increasing your consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, is generally considered one of the best ways to improve your diet. It is also important to exercise too for a healthy lifestyle .