Dieting

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Measuring body weight on a scale

Dieting is the practice of ingesting food in a regulated fashion to achieve or maintain a controlled weight. In most cases the goal is weight loss in those who are overweight or obese, but some athletes aspire to gain weight (usually in the form of muscle) and diets can also be used to maintain a stable body weight.

Diets to promote weight loss are generally divided into four categories: low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie, and very low calorie.^[1] A meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials found no difference between the main diet types (low calorie, low carbohydrate, and low fat), with a 2–4 kilogram weight loss in all studies.^[1] At two years all diet types cause equal weight loss irrespective of the macronutrients emphasized.^[2]

Contents [hide] 1 Types of dieting 2 In children and young adults 3 Thermoregulation 4 Physical exercise 5 Fat loss versus muscle loss 6 Energy obtained from food 7 Proper nutrition 8 How the body gets rid of fat 9 Psychological aspects of weight-loss dieting 10 Weight loss groups 10.1 Food diary 10.2 Medications 10.2.1 Diuretics 10.2.2 Stimulants 10.3 Dangers of fasting 10.4 Side effects 11 Low carbohydrate versus low fat 12 Low glycemic index 13 See also 14 References 15 External links

[edit] Types of dieting

There are several kinds of diets:

• Weight-loss diets restrict the intake of specific foods, or food in general, to reduce body weight. What works to reduce body weight for one person will not necessarily work for another, due to metabolic differences and lifestyle factors. Also, for a variety of reasons, most people find it difficult to maintain significant weight loss over time. Among individuals that have lost 10% or more of body weight, only 20% are able to maintain that weight loss for a full year.^[3]

• Athletes participating in professional sports may sometimes undertake weight-gain or weight-loss diets to increase or decrease their body mass to gain advantage in their field.

• Individuals who are underweight, such as those recovering from anorexia nervosa or starvation, may adopt weight-gain diets which, unlike those of athletes, have the goal of restoring normal levels of body fat, muscle, and stores of essential nutrients.

• Actors, and people participating in similar activities, may pursue weight loss or gain in order to better portray a particular role.