Low-carbohydrate diet may boost weight loss in adolescents

A low-carbohydrate diet may help improve weight loss and lipid levels in adolescent patients who are overweight or obese compared with a low-fat diet.

In a study published in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, investigators examined the effects of low-carbohydrate diets vs. low-fat diets on weight loss and metabolic parameters in 192 adolescent patients who were overweight or obese.

Compared with those following a low-fat diet, the patients who adhered to a low-carbohydrate diet achieved greater reductions in body weight, body mass index and triglyceride levels. There were no statistically significant differences in percent body fat, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol between the two groups.

The findings suggested that while both dietary approaches could facilitate weight loss, a low-carbohydrate diet may result in greater improvements in certain lipid profiles. The investigators concluded that additional studies will be needed to evaluate the long-term effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on metabolic health.

Read more: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity

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