Which weight loss diet works best? 4 popular diets compared

A study conducted by Dansinger et al., published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2005
(vol 293, no.1 Jan 5) compared adherence rates and the effectiveness of 4 popular diets (Atkins, Zone, Weight Watchers, and Ornish) for weight loss and cardiac risk factor reduction. The primary outcome of weight loss at 1 year was modest (about 5 kg for those who stuck to any of the diets) and there was no difference between the low carbohydrate approach of Atkins, the high protein low glycaemic load approach of the Zone diet, the very low fat diet approach of Ornish and the low calorie portion size approach of weight watchers. more....

Nutrition and Health status of Chinese People in 2002
Press release press by the State Council in Beijing on October 12, 2004

Read this interesting press release about changes in food intake and health status of Chinese people in China. The survey was conducted on 69, 205 people. Over the last decade there has been a significant overall increase in animal food intakes, a decrease in plant food intakes (especially cereals) with paralled increases in fat and protein to levels found in countries like Australia. The prevalence of lifestyle diseases and obesity have also increased.
The report concludes that " high dietary energy, high dietary fat and less physical activity are closely related to the occurrence of overweight, obesity, diabetes and abnormal blood lipid level; high salt intake is closely related to the risks of hypertension; and alcohol drinking is closely related to hypertension and abnormal blood lipid level. It should be particularly emphasized that those who had higher level of fat intake and least physical activity have the highest risks for the above mentioned chronic diseases". more

National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) of Australia Draft report on:
Proposed Changes to the Recommended Dietary Intakes and introduction of Nutrient Reference Values

The Recomended Dietary Intakes (RDIs) for vitamins, minerals, protein and energy are commonly seen on food labels telling us the percentage of the RDI provided for various nutrients when one serve of the packaged food is consumed. RDIs are also used to assess intakes of groups, menus and sometimes individuals. They were developed in the 1980s and are now up for review to take into account the new research since then.
The proposed changes by the NH&MRC includes the introduction of EAR (estimated average requirement), AI (adequate intake, usually based on population intakes) and UIL (upper intake limits at which most people will show no adverse effects). Of the 33 nutrients, 17 have RDIs (including molybdenum), 12 have AIs set, three have changed from RDIs to AIs (vit E, sodium, potassium) and carbohydrate has AIs set for infants only. Recommendations for magnesium, iron, calcium, vit C, folate, B12 and B6 have been increased and values for selenium, zinc and sodium have decreased. Protein and energy requirements have increased because the 'standard' body weight on which these are based has increased (in line with general trend to increased body weight).

The report contains invaluable scientific background material on nutrients and chronic diseases
Report at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/advice/nrv.htm

NUTRITION RESOURCES ON THE WEB

The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Centre for Community Child Health - Early Childhood Connections is an Australian website, containing more than 400 Australian and 350 International website links. These links are collated alphabetically and in submenus to provide easy viewing and access to the most up to date information for professionals and parents interested in the renewed emphasis on the early childhood years.
http://www.ecconnections.com.au

HEC PRODUCTS

Find out how to IMPROVE YOUR DIET by doing our on-line course module on "Healthy Eating Tips" for $29.95 (as part of 2004 annual subscription). Subscribers also get:
- access to the on-line book "Food Facts" on CD-rom by Professor Wahlqvist
- member discounts for all our on-line healthy eating course modules More.....

HEC short on-line Healthy Eating course ( 5 modules, $195) More ....
The HEC website is the only website currently offering on-line reputable course modules for the general public in nutrition.

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Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition (published by Healthy Eating Club (HEC) press)

December 2004 issue out now - read abstracts. Subscribe to APJCN this year (1st issue for 2005 in March).

This journal is over 12 years old and is recognised as the leading nutrition journal in Asia and the Pacific.
HEC's Professor Mark Wahlqvist is the Chief Editor and HEC's Dr Antigone Kouris-Blazos is the Managing Editor.
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Recipe of the month: Ballistic Breakfast Bowl, submitted by Gina Galea, Food Technology/ Nutrition Teacher, Marian College Kenthurst, NSW

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