This document discusses fad diets and their shortcomings. It defines fad diets as those that are temporarily popular but lack long term goals and scientific backing. The document categorizes common fad diets like Atkins, Paleo, and 5:2 into groups based on whether they exaggerate or restrict food groups, eliminate certain foods, emphasize supplementation, or promote a particular lifestyle. It notes potential risks of nutrient deficiencies, medical issues, and weight regain when diets end. In contrast, the document advocates sustainable lifestyle changes like balanced diets, moderate exercise, and happiness for long term healthy weight loss.
2. What is a Fad Diet?
Characteristics
Short Term Weight Loss
No Long Term Goals
Temporary Popularity
Shortcomings
Closed to revision
Case Observations held as
evidence
Scientifically unsound and
dangerous
Manna Health Products
Made popular by
Celebrity
24hr News Networks
Individual Medical Endorsement
Confusion
Aggressive Marketing
3. Categories
Food Group Exaggeration/Restriction
Some suggested as treatment for disease conditions.
Food Elimination
Elimination of foods seen as harmful or beneficial in low quantities.
Food Lifestyle
Emphasis on foods that promote a particular lifestyle.
Supplementation
A pill is an easy fix.
4. Categories
Food Group
Exaggeration/Restriction
Some suggested as treatment for disease conditions.
Fruitarianism
Blood Type Diet
Gluten-Free
Atkins
Supplementation
A pill is an easy fix.
Hydroxycut
Metabolife
Food Lifestyle
Emphasis on foods that promote a particular lifestyle.
Low Carbohydrate
Paleolithic
South Beach Diet
Fit for Life
Food Elimination
Elimination of foods seen as harmful or beneficial in low
quantities.
Liquid (Slim-Fast, Lemon
Detox)
Atkins
Israeli Army Diet
5:2 Diet
5. Categories
Food Group Exaggeration/Restriction
Some suggested as treatment for disease conditions.
Fruitarianism
Blood Type Diet
Gluten-Free
6. Food Group Exaggeration/Restriction
Capitalizes on
Individualism
Disease benefit
Religious beliefs
Severely affects critical
Nutrients
Zinc, Iron, Calcium, etc.
Vitamins
B12/Folate, D, C, etc
Amino acids
Multiple medical risks
Protein-Energy
Malnutrition
Anemia
Growth and
developmental
issues
Social disruptions/
Isolations
Food Obsessions
Death
7. Food Group Exaggeration/Restriction
Fruitarianism
Genesis 1:29 (NIV)
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree
that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
A subset of veganism
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds
Restricts animal products or grains.
Steve Jobs, Noted Fruitarian
Named company Apple while on the diet.
Delayed medical care for Pancreatic
Cancer due to belief in herbal alternatives.
Aston Kutcher hospitalized attributed to
diet while preparing for Jobs.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
8. Categories
Food Elimination
Elimination of foods seen as harmful or beneficial in low quantities.
Liquid (Slim-Fast, Lemon Detox)
Atkins
HCG Diet
Israeli Army Diet
5:2 Diet
9. Food Elimination
Short term
Severe caloric restrictions
Sudden/Immediate weight loss
Participants will gain back weight when diet is stopped.
10. Food Elimination
5:2 Diet
The Diet
Severe calorie restriction for 2 non-
consecutive days
Men: <600 kcal
Women: <500 kcal
Normal eating on other 5 days.
In some studies, calorie restriction
showed improvement in the longevity of
rodents and non-human primates
The impact on humans is unknown.
http://www.amazon.com
12. Supplementation
Targets those pushing physical limits
Regularly involved in
False advertising
Political Lobbying
Linked to
Psychosis
MI, CVA
DKA
Ephedra banned in 2004
Common additive
Linked to 155 deaths
Showcase of poor regulation of
dietary supplements in the US
http://www.wikipedia.com
13. Categories
Food Lifestyle
Emphasis on foods that promote a particular lifestyle.
Low Carbohydrate
Paleolithic
South Beach Diet
Fit for Life
14. Food Lifestyle
Loosely considered “Fad Diet”
Popularity is cyclic, unlike most Fad Diets
Emphasizes dietary regiments along side lifestyle changes
Low-Carb
Low-Fat
Naturally occurring foods
More effective for short-term weight loss
Not for Health Maintenance
15. Food Lifestyle
Low Carbohydrate Diets
Decreased intake of simple carbohydrates
Very Low Carb: 0-60g
Low Carb: <60-130g
Targeted metabolic Ketosis for rapid
Glycogen breakdown
Fluid Loss
Fatty Acid breakdown
Ketogenic diet
Used for refractory, non-surgical epilepsy
Efficacy in children with specific epileptic
conditions
60% showed >50% seizure reduction
30% showed >90% seizure reduction
Extreme caution in Diabetic Patients
Absolute contraindications
Carnitine Deficiency, Porphyria, Fatty Acid Oxidation
Defects, Pyruvate Carboxylase Deficiency.
http://www.personaltrainerdublindbomb.wordpress.com
16. Losing Weight the Healthy Way
1. Eat Less!
Consume no more than 22 kcal/kg of
body weight.
Make sure to eat a balanced diet.
Guide provided by FDA.
2. Exercise more!
Recommendations range around at
least
150 minutes of moderate intensity
aerobic activity
75 minutes of vigorous intensity
activity per week
Both increase Intensity and Frequency
reduce CV risk
Make sure to consult a doctor before
starting a regiment.
3. Be Happy!
Seriously. I’m not kidding…
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov
17. Information for patients
Always do your research when considering a new diet.
Evidence and research is typically limited when it comes
to the effectiveness and safety of diets.
If you are considering a new diet or exercise regiment,
consult your doctor first.
Not everyone can safely participate in any one particular
diet.
All of the diets discussed are controversial.
Health Maintenance and Long Term Wellbeing are better
achieved with lifestyle changes to diet and exercise and
realistic goal modifications.
18. References
"Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson.
The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jan/28/ashton-kutcher-
hospital-steve-jobs-diet
CBS News
http://www.cbsnews.com/2102-500165_162-4036502.html
Ano Lobb (2009-04-14). "Hepatoxicity associated with weight-loss
supplements: A case for better post-marketing surveillance". World
J Gastroenterol 15 (14): 1786–7.
Death at the ballpark: a comprehensive study of game-related
fatalities of ... By Robert M. Gorman, David Weeks. McFarland
Press.
FDA.gov
UpToDate
Medscape