Despite the considerable mass appeal of popular diet books, such approaches lack data to support their efficacy and safety. Despite its widespread use for more than 30 years, the Atkins diet has never been evaluated in a large randomized controlled trial (RCT). Data from large RCTs are necessary to help physicians, patients and the broader health care community make informed decisions about the safety and efficacy of these programs. The current proposal will assess the short-term and long-term clinical effects of the Atkins diet in 360 obese men and women. Participants will be randomized to the Atkins diet (low-carbohydrate, unlimited fat and protein) or a conventional USDA diet (high-carbohydrate, low-fat). The effects of each dietary approach on changes in: 1) weight and body composition; 2) metabolic and organ function; and 3) exercise tolerance will be evaluated.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01AT001103-05
Application #
7051945
Study Section
Nutrition Study Section (NTN)
Program Officer
Duffy, Linda C
Project Start
2002-05-15
Project End
2008-02-28
Budget Start
2006-03-01
Budget End
2008-02-28
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$733,123
Indirect Cost
Name
Temple University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
057123192
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19122
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Foster, Gary D; Wyatt, Holly R; Hill, James O et al. (2003) A randomized trial of a low-carbohydrate diet for obesity. N Engl J Med 348:2082-90

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