Reliable Weight Control Programs

Pennington Biomedical Research CenterDivision of Education

2009 2

General features

Provides recommendations that are safe and are supported by scientific evidence.

Suggests receiving a physician’s approval prior to initiating the plan.

Improves overall health and shows positive changes in lifestyle.

A Diet Plan is sound if it:

2009 3

Nutrition

Meets nutritional needs.

Includes a variety of foods

Emphasizes low fat foods

Includes adequate fluids ( 8 glasses a day 64 oz).

A Diet Plan is sound if it:

2009 4

Nutrition

Encourages eating smaller portions of nutritious foods but minimizes hunger or fatigue.

Doesn’t exclude entire classes of food items.

Considers individual food preferences.

A Diet Plan is sound if it:

2009 5

Nutrition

Includes reasonable amounts of fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Reduces caloric intake to no lower than 1000 Kcal/d. At this level, one should consume fortified foods

and/or take multi vitamin-mineral supplement.

Recommends losing in the range of 1/2 to 2 pounds a week.

A Diet Plan is sound if it:

2009 6

Nutrition

Avoids requiring special or costly supplements and foods

Incorporates readily obtainable foods.

Avoids making claims about the superiority of the plan or a particular food or supplement.

Promotes reshaping food habits and lifestyle to maintain weight loss.

A Diet Plan is sound if it:

2009 7

Physical fitness

Includes suggestions for altering sedentary behaviors.

Encourages engaging in daily aerobic activities that last at least half an hour.

Recommends physical activities that are safe and considers special health concerns.

A Diet Plan is sound if it:

2009 8

Social needs

Provides practical suggestions for modifying food-related attitudes and behaviors

Educates about the need to set realistic weight loss goals

Includes techniques to monitor progress such as recording waist-hip

circumferences, frequent weighing

A Diet Plan is sound if it:

2009 9

Social needs

Builds positive self-esteem

Provides strategies for coping with setbacks, difficult situations, and non-supportive people

Offers opportunities for group support

A Diet Plan is sound if it:

2009 10

Avoid diets with the following components: Excludes groups of foods

Grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy Uses a lot of testimonials Doesn’t allow mixing of food groups Doesn’t allow all types of foods at all meals Uses a lot of special ingredients Promises quick weight loss (more than 1-2 pounds a week)

Promises to be a cure for various other ailments

2009 11

Prior to Starting the Plan

He or she has existing health problems, such as heart disease or hypertension

He or she plans to lose weight as quickly as possible

He or she is over 40 years of age for men or 50 years of age for women and plans to perform substantially increased physical activity

If any of the following are true, the individual should seek advice from a physician

2009 12

References

http://www.essentialnutrition.org/lowcarb.php Wardlaw G, Kessel M. Perspectives in

Nutrition. 5th ed. 2002 http://www.google.com

2009 13

Pennington Biomedical Research CenterDivision of Education

Heli Roy, PhD, RD Outreach Coordinator

Phillip Brantley, PhD, Director, Division of Education

Claude Bouchard, PhD Director, Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Beth Kalicki

Edited: October 2009

2009 14

About Our Company…

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a world-renowned nutrition research center. Mission:To promote healthier lives through research and education in nutrition and preventive medicine. The Pennington Center has several research areas, including: Clinical Obesity ResearchExperimental ObesityFunctional FoodsHealth and Performance EnhancementNutrition and Chronic DiseasesNutrition and the BrainDementia, Alzheimer’s and healthy agingDiet, exercise, weight loss and weight loss maintenance The research fostered in these areas can have a profound impact on healthy living and on the prevention of common chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis. The Division of Education provides education and information to the scientific community and the public about research findings, training programs and research areas, and coordinates educational events for the public on various health issues. We invite people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the exciting research studies being conducted at the Pennington Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. If you would like to take part, visit the clinical trials web page at www.pbrc.edu or call (225) 763-3000.