Kraft highlight South Beach study

17/10/05 Counting calories and portioning food is tough for many dieters. Now a new study suggests you might be as successful at weight loss by changing the types of foods you eat without counting calories.

"Our results showed that a modified carbohydrate diet is a successful and alternate way to lose weight without counting calories," said lead researcher Kevin Maki, Ph.D., who presented his findings today at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity conference (Abstract # 308P).

This study, funded by Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT), was conducted by Dr. Maki and his colleagues at Radiant Research -- a research company that specializes in conducting clinical trials. Kraft announced an alliance with "The South Beach Diet" and its author Dr. Agatston in June 2004 and is committed to supporting research to document the effectiveness of the diet.

Dr. Maki and colleagues evaluated the weight loss of 86 overweight/obese men and women, ages 18 to 65, who followed two different diets for 36 weeks. The first 12 weeks of treatment focused on weight loss while weeks 12 through 36 focused on weight maintenance.

One group followed a traditional low-fat, portion controlled diet and was instructed to shave off 500 to 800 calories a day.

The second group was told simply to eat until hunger was satisfied. They were instructed to follow a "modified-carbohydrate diet," which was consistent with the recommendations outlined in "The South Beach Diet," developed by Miami cardiologist Arthur Agatston, M.D. These participants changed the type and amount of carbohydrates – replaced refined grains with the slower-digesting and more nutrient-rich whole grains -- and focused on lean sources of protein.

The dieters on the modified-carbohydrate eating plan lost significantly more weight and body fat compared to their counterparts on the low-fat, portion-controlled diet during the first 12 weeks.  At nine months, while both groups lost weight, the modified-carbohydrate group lost weight more quickly than the control group.

"Adopting an eating plan that includes a moderate intake of carbohydrates with an emphasis on nutrient-rich whole grains appears to result in weight loss," Dr. Maki said.

"It's encouraging to see the results of this study, which are consistent with what I have seen in my own practice," said Dr. Agatston.  "My patients are able to enjoy a variety of foods without counting calories or feeling deprived," he said. "This is more evidence that calories still count, but that you don't necessarily need to count calories."

The participants in the study who followed the principles of "The South Beach Diet" tended to consume fewer calories than those on the portion-controlled plan, even though they were not counting calories and were instructed to eat until hunger was satisfied.

"Our results add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that modifying the quantity and quality of carbohydrates in the diet and changing the types of food you eat may have important influences on regulating calorie balance," Dr. Maki said.

While the reasons dieters on the modified-carbohydrate plan consumed fewer calories are not fully explained, Dr. Maki said one hypothesis relates to the satiety value of the meal plan.  Participants may have experienced greater feelings of fullness so they ate less, he said.

"The South Beach Diet" focuses on the right carbohydrates, the right fats and lean sources of protein to help people feel more satisfied on fewer calories.