April 8, 2004
NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS
"Nutrition news is important.  We help you understand it!"

Today's Topic: Weight Loss Shouldn't Ignore Calories

Two-thirds of Americans are either trying to lose weight or maintain
their weight, according to a survey published in the October 13, 1999
edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).  In
a study of over 100,000 adults, those more concerned with proper
weight tend to be better educated, smoke less, and not surprisingly,
weigh more.  < http://tinyurl.com/25og2 >

Unfortunately, the most common strategy for weight loss was eating
less fat rather than fewer calories.  Even fewer people combined diet
with exercise.  Many foods advertised as low-fat are not lower in
calories than those they replaced.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Numerous studies have
shown that most successful weight maintenance programs combine lower
calorie diets with increased physical activity.  Fad diets that
concentrate on single foods or food groups may become best sellers,
but there is little to recommend them from a view of long-term success
or safety.