As You Try To Find A Weight Loss Plan For 2008, Here's What You Need To Know

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;  Diabetes
Article Date: 30 Dec 2007 - 9:00 PDT

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People who want to lose weight in 2008 but can't decide which weight-loss plan to follow may want to ask their health care provider about the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) new Clinical Practice Recommendations, issued today.

The revised Recommendations, which help health care providers treat people with diabetes or at risk for diabetes using the most current evidence available, include a revision in the nutrition section indicating that diets restricting carbohydrates or fat calorie intake are equally effective for reducing weight in the short term (up to one year).

But far more important than which diet you choose is whether you can stick to it! The ADA also cites scientific evidence showing that how well a person adheres to a diet is one of the biggest determinants in whether they'll succeed in losing weight.

Set Your Goals

Set a realistic weight loss goal. Think about losing 5, 10 or 15 pounds. One of your goals should be to lose a few pounds and be able to keep it off for a long time. Here are some tips to help you make goals.

-- Identify a support system, family, friends or co-workers, who will support your weight loss efforts.

-- Do a self-check on what and when you eat. Keep honest food records for about a week. Write down everything you eat or drink. Use these records to set a few food goals.

-- Be ready to gradually change your food habits (and perhaps your family's food habits) for good. Say good bye to some of your unhealthy habits and food choices.

-- Do a physical activity self-check. How much exercise do you get? How can you work more of it into your day?

"The risks of overweight and obesity are well known. We recognize that people are looking for realistic ways to lose weight," said Ann Albright, PhD, RD, President, Health Care and Education, American Diabetes Association. "The evidence is clear that both low-carbohydrate and low-fat calorie restricted diets result in similar weight loss at one year. Short-term weight loss is beneficial, but what is most important for health is keeping the weight off long-term," said Albright. "We also want to continue to emphasize the importance of regular physical activity, both to aid in maintenance of weight loss, and also for the positive health gains associated with exercise that are independent of weight loss."

Monitor Your Health

The ADA also caution people with diabetes to carefully monitor their health when following restrictive weight-loss plans. People following low-carb diets may replace calories from carbohydrate with fat or protein. That makes it even more important for them to monitor their lipid profiles (blood fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides). High protein diets may also worsen kidney problems. So people who have kidney disease should consult a physician about the appropriate amount of protein for them to consume and also be sure to carefully monitor their kidney functions.

Being overweight or obese and inactive are major contributing factors to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Overweight and obesity also complicate the treatment of diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) and can contribute to the development of other health problems, such as heart disease and cancer. In the United States, rates of type 2 diabetes in adults and children have risen dramatically in recent years, along with the national epidemic of obesity.

For more information about the ADA's 2008 Clinical Practice Recommendations, which are published as a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care, please visit http://www.diabetes.org. Diabetes Care, published by the American Diabetes Association, is the leading peer-reviewed journal of clinical research into the nation's fifth leading cause of death by disease. Diabetes also is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, as well as the leading cause of adult blindness, kidney failure, and non-traumatic amputations.

About the ADA

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities. The Association's commitment to research is reflected through its scientific meetings; education and provider recognition programs; and its Research Foundation and Nationwide Research Program, which fund breakthrough studies looking into the cure, prevention, and treatment of diabetes and its complications. For more information, visit http://www.diabetes.org or call 800-DIABETES