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Comments on: Low-Fat and Low-Carb Diets End Battle in Tie After Two Years, But… http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/ Ruminations on Weight Loss, Health, and Longevity Via the Mediterranean Diet Fri, 18 May 2012 09:10:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: octopod http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/#comment-23515 octopod Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:15:42 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/#comment-23515 Isn't the usual failure point cited by those arguing that "diets don't work" something like 5 years, though? A study that only lasts 2 years doesn't demonstrate that diets work in the 5-10 year range -- that is, in the long term. Isn’t the usual failure point cited by those arguing that “diets don’t work” something like 5 years, though? A study that only lasts 2 years doesn’t demonstrate that diets work in the 5-10 year range — that is, in the long term.

]]> By: Steve Parker, M.D. http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/#comment-23518 Steve Parker, M.D. Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:22:57 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/#comment-23518 Good point, octopod. I'm not aware of any firm concensus for the definition of "long-term." It would be interesting to re-weigh the 200 participants who completed this study three years from now. I wouldn't be surprised if nearly all the successful losers would be back at their baseline weights. But not ALL. I would agree with this: "Diets don't work long-term (five or ten years) for everbody all the time." [Not as catchy as "Diets don't work."!] The single most successful long-term (five years) weight-loss method for folks seriously overweight is bariatric surgery. But even they regain weight after the first year and often end up still in the obese category. Here's a post of mine on weight regain, a review of a 2008 article in Journal of the American Medical Association: http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2008/03/12/keeping-lost-weight-from-returning-is-not-impossible/ And another post on prevention of weight regain: http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2008/11/20/prevention-of-weight-regain/ Good point, octopod.

I’m not aware of any firm concensus for the definition of “long-term.” It would be interesting to re-weigh the 200 participants who completed this study three years from now. I wouldn’t be surprised if nearly all the successful losers would be back at their baseline weights. But not ALL.

I would agree with this: “Diets don’t work long-term (five or ten years) for everbody all the time.”

[Not as catchy as “Diets don’t work.”!]

The single most successful long-term (five years) weight-loss method for folks seriously overweight is bariatric surgery. But even they regain weight after the first year and often end up still in the obese category.

Here’s a post of mine on weight regain, a review of a 2008 article in Journal of the American Medical Association:

http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2008/03/12/keeping-lost-weight-from-returning-is-not-impossible/

And another post on prevention of weight regain:

http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2008/11/20/prevention-of-weight-regain/

]]> By: octopod http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/#comment-23524 octopod Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:37:15 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/#comment-23524 So your first link there points out that the statistical distribution does have a right tail of people who keep the weight off after they lose it, which totally makes sense. However, couldn't you make an argument based on the same data that weight gain is in fact effectively <i>im</i>possible for all but those few people predisposed to it? That is, that those who engage in weight-loss dieting and manage to maintain a new stable weight (I'm leaving out bariatric surgery here, as it's a whole different issue) are the exception, rather than the aspirational standard? Not sure what I think myself, frankly, as I've never tried to lose even 5% of my weight, but it seems like the evidence is equally well disposed to either conclusion. So your first link there points out that the statistical distribution does have a right tail of people who keep the weight off after they lose it, which totally makes sense. However, couldn’t you make an argument based on the same data that weight gain is in fact effectively impossible for all but those few people predisposed to it? That is, that those who engage in weight-loss dieting and manage to maintain a new stable weight (I’m leaving out bariatric surgery here, as it’s a whole different issue) are the exception, rather than the aspirational standard?

Not sure what I think myself, frankly, as I’ve never tried to lose even 5% of my weight, but it seems like the evidence is equally well disposed to either conclusion.

]]> By: Steve Parker, M.D. http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/#comment-23537 Steve Parker, M.D. Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:54:24 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2010/08/07/low-fat-and-low-carb-diets-end-battle-in-tie-after-two-years-but/#comment-23537 I'm starting to get confused now, octopod. It sounds like you're saying: "Successful long-term weight loss is impossible . . . except for those who do it." I hate to resort to anecdote, but I will. I've seen too many of those long-term successful losers in my medical practice not to believe that it's do-able. Even if they are a small minority. The National Weight Control Registry documents other cases, although they can't provide a denominator. Long-term successful losers typically have tried and failed multiple different times and methods before discovering their key to success. Same as we see with ex-smokers. I’m starting to get confused now, octopod.

It sounds like you’re saying: “Successful long-term weight loss is impossible . . . except for those who do it.”

I hate to resort to anecdote, but I will. I’ve seen too many of those long-term successful losers in my medical practice not to believe that it’s do-able. Even if they are a small minority.

The National Weight Control Registry documents other cases, although they can’t provide a denominator.

Long-term successful losers typically have tried and failed multiple different times and methods before discovering their key to success. Same as we see with ex-smokers.

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