More than 30 states in the U.S. have obesity rates above 25 percent, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing chronic diseases like arthritis, type 2 diabetes and stroke. If you're overweight, talk to your health care team about ways you can lose weigh healthfully. Additionally, you may want to consider a weight loss diet for adults.
Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet is a popular low-carb weight loss diet. Followers of the Atkins diet plan tend to consume large amounts of protein-rich foods like eggs, red meat and dairy in place of carbohydrate-rich foods like fruits and grains. According to research published in the March 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association," followers of the Atkins diet can expect to lose more than 10 lbs. of body weight over the course of one year.
Dean Ornish
The Ornish diet was developed in the 1980s by cardiologist Dean Ornish. His diet is very low in fat -- less than 15 percent of calories -- and rich in plant foods like whole grains, vegetables and fruit. The March 2007 issue of "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that Ornish dieters lost approximately 5 lbs. on average by following this low-fat diet plan.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers is a sensible diet plan that emphasizes social support and portion control to achieve lasting weight loss. In the June 2005 edition of the "Journal of the American Medical Association," a group of overweight adults were asked to follow the Weight Watchers diet for a 24-month follow-up period. Those on Weight Watchers lost an average of more than 10 lbs. Additionally, those sticking to the diet improved heart disease risk factors such as reducing "bad" LDL cholesterol.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet's aim is to replicate the way that people living in Mediterranean Sea-bordering nations eat. Followers of the Mediterranean diet tend to shun processed foods and fast food in favor of fish, vegetables, whole grains and extra virgin olive oil. Adopting the Mediterranean diet can help combat obesity and significantly boost heart health, notes the Mayo Clinic.
References
- Centers for Disease Control: U.S. Obesity Trends
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN Diets for Change in Weight and Related Risk Factors Among Overweight Premenopausal Women: The A to Z Weight Loss Study: a Randomized Trial; M Danzinger et al.; March 2007
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone Diets for Weight Loss and Heart Disease Risk Reduction; M Danzinger et al.; June 2005
- Mayo Clinic: Mediterranean Diet: Ingredients for a Heart-Healthy Eating Approach
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