Qualidade nutricional de dietas da moda veiculadas em revistas não científicas / Nutritional quality of fad diets in non-scientific journals

Objetivo: o presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar a qualidade nutricional de cardápios de dietas da moda veiculadas nas revistas de circulação não cientificas "Malu" e "7 Dias com você". Métodos: tratou-se de um estudo quali-quantitativo que avaliou cardápios das revistas mencionadas anteriormente, publicadas entre 2015 e 2016. Para a análise do conteúdo nutricional, foi utilizado o software DietWin® para averiguar o valor energético, macronutrientes, o teor de fibra bruta e a quantidade de cálcio, ferro e folato; e para a análise qualitativa, utilizaram-se as recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira para oferta de frutas, hortaliças e a presença de alimentos ultraprocessados. Resultados: as dietas analisadas são hipocalóricas; os macronutrientes estão adequados segundo os intervalos de distribuição de macronutrientes para adultos, pois são deficientes em fibras, cálcio, folato e ferro. Em relação à Ingestão Dietética Recomendada, atendem às recomendações para o consumo de hortaliças, são inadequadas em relação ao consumo de frutas e prescrevem alimentos ultraprocessados. Conclusão: a inadequação do conteúdo nutricional das dietas leva a prejuízos nutricionais e estão relacionadas às carências e aos excessos alimentares. Portanto, faz-se necessária a prescrição de dietas individualizadas por meio de avaliação detalhada.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the nutritional quality off addiets menus published in the non-scientific magazines "Malu" and "7Days with You". Methods: This was aquali-quantitative study that evaluated menus ofthe previously mentioned magazines published between 2015 and 2016. For the analysis of nutritional content DietWin® software was used to ascertainthe energy value, macronutrients, crude fiber content and the amount of calcium, iron and folate and for qualitative analysisit wasused the recommendations of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population for the supply of fruits, vegetables and the presence of ultra-processed foods. Results: The diets analyzed are hypocaloric, the macronutrients are adequate according to the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribuition Range, are deficient in fiber, calcium, folate and iron in relation to the Recommended Dietary Intake, meet the recommendations for the consumption of vegetables, are inadequate in relation to the consumption of fruits and prescribe ultra-processed foods. Conclusion: The inadequacy of the nutritional content of diets leads to nutritional losses and are related to deficiencies and overeating. Therefore, it is necessary to prescribe individualized diets through detailed evaluation in a physical consultation.

Nutritional composition of fad diets published on websites and blogs / Composição nutricional de dietas da moda publicadas em sites e blogs

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze quantitatively the diets available on blogs and websites. Methods The following 15 diets were analyzed: low-carb diet, gluten-free diet and intermittent fasting diet using the Virtual Nutri software program. The nutrients analyzed were as follows: carbohydrates, fibers, proteins, lipids, iodine, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins A, C, B6, B12, D, niacin, and folate. The nutrient values were compared with the Dietary Reference Intake recommendation for adults between the ages of 19-50 years. The macronutrient adequacy percentage was based on a 2000-kcal diet for a healthy life, as recommended by the World Health Organization. Results It was observed that most of the composition of macro and micronutrients was lower than the one established by the World Health Organization and the Dietary Reference Intake recommendation for adults between the ages of 19-50 years. Conclusion Long-term dieting can be a risk factor for several deficiency diseases and may endanger the health of individuals.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar quantitativamente dietas disponíveis em blogs e sites. Métodos Analisou-se 15 cardápios de dietas intituladas: Low Carb, Dieta Sem Glúten e Jejum Intermitente utilizando o software, Virtual Nutri. Os nutrientes analisados foram: carboidratos, fibras, proteínas, lipídios, iodo, sódio, cálcio, magnésio, ferro, zinco, manganês, potássio, fósforo, cobre, selênio, vitaminas A, C, B6, B12, D, niacina e folato. Os nutrientes tiveram seus valores comparados com recomendações diárias de ingestão das Dietary Reference Intake para adultos da faixa etária de 19 a 50 anos. O percentual de adequação foi feito baseado em uma dieta de 2000kcal para indivíduos saudáveis, de acordo com o preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. Resultados Observou-se que a maioria dos cardápios teve sua composição de macro e micronutrientes aquém do determinado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde e das recomendações das Dietary Reference Intake para adultos de 19 a 50 anos. Conclusão O seguimento dessas dietas em longo prazo pode ser um fator de risco a diversas doenças carenciais que pode trazer perigos à saúde dos indivíduos.

Review of Dietary Practices of the 21st Century: Facts and Fallacies.

The prevalence of chronic metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, is increasing around the world. Nutritional interventions can reduce the prevalence and provide effective treatment, even when weight loss is not dramatic. The 2013 Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines concluded that certain dietary patterns and popular weight-loss diets had sufficient evidence to suggest their use by individuals with diabetes, but many other diet patterns and diets exist. Our specific objectives were to review the nutritional quality of various dietary patterns and diets, with emphasis on the evidence that they are efficacious for weight loss, glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors.

Autopercepción de la imagen corporal y prácticas para corregirla en adolescentes de una institución educativa, Lima-Perú / Self-perception of body image and practices to correct it in adolescents from an educational institution, Lima, Peru

Introducción. Durante la adolescencia, etapa de cambios físicos y psíquicos, la imagen corporal se reviste de especial importancia; su insatisfacción puede contribuir a realizar prácticas inadecuadas. Objetivo. Identificar la autopercepción de imagen corporal y susprácticas para corregirla. Diseño. Estudio mixto, cuanti-cualitativo. Lugar. Institución educativa privada, distrito Miraflores, Lima, Perú.Participantes. Adolescentes hombres y mujeres. Intervenciones. Se realizó mediciones antropométricas de peso y talla, encuestade autopercepción de imagen corporal, y entrevistas a profundidad y grupales a 108 adolescentes hombres y mujeres para la fasecuantitativa, y 48 para la cualitativa. Principales medidas de resultados. Porcentaje de percepción equivocada de peso o talla.Percepción sobre su imagen corporal y prácticas para corregirla. Resultados. En el estudio, 36,1% tenían percepción equivocadade su peso y 50,9% de su talla. Aunque más de la mitad de los entrevistados en la fase cualitativa tenía percepción equivocada delpeso, mostraron aparente conformidad con su cuerpo; los que no lo estaban, manifestaban expresiones despectivas del mismo; ellose incluso algunos conformes (n=30) realizaban prácticas como dietas, actividad física y usaban medicamentos para bajar de peso ocrecer; sus padres y amigos influían en la decisión de realizar dichas prácticas. Las participantes de once y doce años no mostraroninterés en modificar su imagen corporal. Conclusiones. Casi un tercio de adolescentes tenía percepción equivocada de su peso, y lamitad de su talla. Los inconformes con su imagen corporal realizaban diferentes prácticas para corregirla.

Introduction. Adolescence is a stage of physical and psychological changes; body image is of special importance and dissatisfactionwith this can contribute to inappropriate practices. Objective. To identify self-perception of body image and practices adopted tochange it. Design. Mixed quantitative and qualitative study. Setting. Private education institution, Miraflores district, Lima. Participants. Male and female adolescents. Interventions. In 108 boys and girls for the quantitative study, and 48 for the qualitative study, weightand height, body image self-perception, in-depth individual and group interviews were obtained. Main outcome measures. Percentageof misperception of weight or height. Perception of body image and practices applied to modify this. Results. In this study 36.1% hadmisperception of their weight and 50.9% of their height. Although most respondents in the qualitative study revealed misperception,they showed apparent conformity with their bodies; those who did not show conformity with their body, expressed scornful comments;these and others (n=30) used diet, physical activity and medications to lose weight or to grow. Their parents and friends influencedtheir decisions. 11- and 12-year-old participants were not interested in modifying their body image. Conclusions. Nearly one thirdof adolescents had misperception of their weight and half of them in regard to their height. Those not accepting their body imagepracticed activities to correct it.

Adult weight loss diets: metabolic effects and outcomes.

The global prevalence of overweight and obesity as a public health concern is well established and reflects the overall lack of success in our ability to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight and obese is associated with numerous comorbidities and is a risk factor for several of the leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and many types of cancer. The foundation of treatment has been diet and exercise. There are >1,000 published weight loss diets, with more appearing in the lay literature and the media on a regular basis. The sheer number of existing diet regimens would suggest that no one diet has been universally successful at inducing and maintaining weight loss. Many of these dietary programs are based on sound scientific evidence and follow contemporary principles of weight loss. Others simply eliminate 1 or more of the essential food groups or recommend consumption of 1 type of food at the expense of other foods with little to no supporting evidence. The focus of this review is on weight loss diets, specifically those with the most supporting scientific evidence and those that are most likely to succeed in achievement and maintenance of desirable body weight. The effects of weight loss diets on energy expenditure, body weight, body composition, and metabolic parameters will be evaluated. Ultimately, the best diet is the one the patient will follow and incorporate into his or her daily life for lifelong maintenance of a healthy body weight.

Composição nutricional de dietas para emagrecimento publicadas em revistas não científicas: comparação com as recomendações dietéticas atuais de macronutrientes / Nutritional composition of diets for weight loss published in non-scientific journals: comparison with the current dietary macronutrient recommendations

Objetivos: Com o aumento dos �ndices mundiais do excesso de peso e da preocupa��o com emagrecimento entre os adultos, � crescente o surgimento de dietas populares divulgadas em revistas n�o cient�ficas. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a composi��o nutricional de dietas para emagrecimento publicadas em revistas n�o cient�ficas com as recomenda��es diet�ticas atuais de macronutrientes propostas pela American Dietetics Asssociation. M�todos: Foram selecionadas revistas publicadas em 2010 por duas editoras. A composi��o nutricional das dietas foi calculada (NutWin�, 2005) e comparada com recomenda��es atuais para macronutrientes (ADA, 1996). As dietas foram divididas em dois grupos de acordo com seu teor de calorias (de grande restri��o cal�rica [(GRC); 800-1200kcal] ou de restri��o cal�rica leve [(RCL); >1200kcal]) e comparadas. Resultados: Foram analisadas 137 dietas (25 exemplares) com aporte cal�rico de 656,5-2243,08Kcal/dia. Considerando a composi��o de macronutrientes dos card�pios, as dietas deste estudo puderam ser classificadas na sua maioria como hipoglic�dicas (59,84%), hiperproteicas (95,70%) e hipolip�dicas (60,58%), al�m de possu�rem quantidades de fibras inadequadas (69,30%). Com exce��o dos lip�dios, os demais macronutrientes apresentaram distribui��o semelhante entre os dois grupos de dietas, quando divididas de acordo com seu valor cal�rico. Conclus�o: Concluiu-se que uma grande propor��o de dietas se apresentou inadequada �s recomenda��es de macronutrientes.

Objectives: With the crescent global rates of overweight and the concern with weight loss among adults, the number of popular diets published in non-scientific magazines has also grown. This study aimed to compare the nutritional composition of weight loss diets published in non-scientific magazines with the current dietary macronutrient recommendations proposed by the American Dietetic Association. Methods: We selected journals published by two publishers in 2010. The nutritional composition of diets was calculated (NutWin�, 2005) and compared with current recommendations for macronutrients (ADA, 1996). The diets analyzed were divided into two groups according to their calorie content (high caloric restriction [(GRC) 800-1200kcal] or mild caloric restriction [(RCL);> 1200 kcal]); they were then compared. Results: We analyzed 137 diets (25 issues) with caloric intake ranging from 656.5 to 2243.08Kcal/day. Considering the macronutrient composition of diets, the diets in this study could be classified mostly as hypoglycemic (59.84%), hyperproteic (95.70%) and hypolipidic (60.58%), besides having inadequate amounts of fiber (69.30%). Except for lipids, the other macronutrients showed similar distribution between the two groups of diets when divided according to their caloric value. Conclusions: We conclude that a large proportion of the diets studied were inadequate according to the recommendations for macronutrients.

Análise da composição nutricional de dietas da moda divulgadas por revistas não científicas / Analysis of the nutritional composition of fad diets in nonscientific magazines

Objetivo: Analisar a composi��o nutricional das dietas da moda divulgadas por revistas n�o cient�ficas. M�todos: Foi realizado estudo transversal descritivo de dietas da moda selecionadas em revistas n�o cient�ficas. A composi��o nutricional das dietas foi calculada pelo software AVANUTRI� e comparada com a recomenda��o proposta pelas DRIS (Dietary Reference Intakes) para macronutrientes e fibras alimentares de acordo com valores propostos pela IV Diretriz Brasileira sobre Dislipidemias e Preven��o da Aterosclerose. Para o c�lculo das dietas, foram adotadas como padr�o as recomenda��es para mulheres com 160cm e 61,8kg. Resultados: Foram analisadas 12 dietas publicadas em quatro revistas distintas. O aporte energ�tico oscilou de 720 a 1720kcal/dia. Ao comparar com os macronutrientes, 5 (41,6%) card�pios apresentaram quantidade excessiva de prote�nas; 6 (50%), insufici�ncia de carboidratos; 9 (45%), insufici�ncia de lip�deos; e apenas 2 (10%), quantidade suficiente de fibras. Conclus�o: Os resultados apontam que a maioria das dietas publicadas em revistas n�o cient�ficas apresenta inadequa��es na distribui��o de macronutrientes, o que pode comprometer o estado nutricional dos indiv�duos. Esses dados refor�am a import�ncia de que as dietas sejam individualizadas e acompanhadas por profissional habilitado, um nutricionista.

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional composition of fad diets in non-scientific magazines. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of fad diets selected from non-scientific magazines. The nutritional composition of diets was calculated by AVANUTRI� software and compared with DRIS (Dietary Reference Intakes) for macronutrients and fibers according to the values proposed by the IV Brazilian Guidelines on Dyslipidemia and Prevention of Atherosclerosis. Standard recommendations for women of 160cm in height and 61.8kg in weight were adopted to perform the calculation of diets. Results: We analyzed 12 diets published in four different magazines. The energy intake ranged from 720 to 1720kcal/day. Regarding macronutrients, 05 (41.6%) menus presented excessive amount of protein, 06 (50%) showed carbohydrate insufficiency, 09 (45%) presented lipid insufficiency, and only 02 (10%) showed sufficient amount of fibers. Conclusion: The results indicate that most diets published in non-scientific magazines present inadequacies of nutrients, which may compromise the nutritional status of individuals. It is indispensable that diets be individualized and monitored by professional nutritionists.

Inoculation message treatments for curbing noncommunicable disease development / Tratamientos mediante mensajes de inoculación para contener la aparición de enfermedades no transmisibles

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of various types of inoculation message treatments on resistance to persuasive and potentially deceptive health- and nutrition-related (HNR) content claims of commercial food advertisers. METHODS: A three-phase experiment was conducted among 145 students from a Midwestern U.S. university. Quantitative statistical analyses were used to interpret the results. Results: Results provide clear evidence that integrating regulatory focus/fit considerations enhances the treatment effectiveness of inoculation messages. Inoculation messages that employed a preventative, outcome focus with concrete language were most effective at countering HNR advertising claims. The findings indicate that inoculation fosters resistance equally across the most common types of commercially advertised HNR product claims (e.g., absolute, general, and structure/function claims). CONCLUSIONS: As the drive to refine the inoculation process model continues, further testing and application of this strategy in a public health context is needed to counter ongoing efforts by commercial food advertisers to avoid government regulations against deceptive practices such as dubious health/nutrition claims. This research advances inoculation theory by providing evidence that 1) good regulatory fit strengthens the effect of refutational preemption and 2) an inoculation approach is highly effective at fostering resistance to commercial advertisers' HNR content claims. This macro approach appears far superior to education or information-based promotional health campaigns targeted solely at specific populations demonstrating rising rates of noncommunicable disease.

OBJETIVO: Estudiar el efecto de diversos tipos de tratamientos basados en mensajes de inoculación sobre la resistencia a los reclamos de los anunciantes de alimentos comerciales con contenidos persuasivos y potencialmente engañosos relacionados con la salud y la nutrición (RSN). MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un experimento en tres fases en el que participaron 145 estudiantes de una universidad del centro oeste de los Estados Unidos. Para interpretar los resultados, se utilizaron análisis estadísticos cuantitativos. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron datos probatorios claros de que la integración de las consideraciones de la teoría del enfoque/ajuste regulador mejoran la eficacia de los tratamientos basados en mensajes de inoculación. Los mensajes de inoculación que adoptaron un enfoque de prevención de resultados y utilizaron un lenguaje concreto fueron más eficaces en contrarrestar los reclamos publicitarios RSN. Se observó que la inoculación fomenta la resistencia por igual frente a los tipos más frecuentes de reclamos RSN de los productos anunciados comercialmente (reclamos absolutos, generales, y de estructura y función). CONCLUSIONES: Mientras se mantienen los intentos de perfeccionar el modelo del proceso de inoculación, es preciso seguir poniendo a prueba y aplicando esta estrategia en un contexto de salud pública con objeto de contrarrestar las iniciativas regulares de los anunciantes de alimentos comerciales para evitar las reglamentaciones gubernamentales contra prácticas engañosas tales como los reclamos equívocos en materia de salud y nutrición. Esta investigación promueve la teoría de la inoculación al proporcionar datos probatorios de que 1) un buen ajuste regulador fortalece el efecto de la prevención refutadora; y 2) un método de inoculación resulta ser muy eficaz en fomentar la resistencia a los reclamos con contenidos RSN de los anunciantes comerciales. Este enfoque macro se muestra muy superior a las campañas de promoción de la salud educativas o basadas en la información dirigidas exclusivamente a poblaciones específicas que presentan tasas ascendentes de enfermedades no transmisibles.

Comer / Eat

Contenido: Naturaleza. Cultura. Comer: entre la naturaleza y la cultura. El ayuno. El ayuno y la santidad. El hambre. Las huelgas de hambre. Caníbales. Vampiros. La obsesión por la comida. Apocalípticos de la globalización. Primitivismo. ¿En una época la comida era genuina?. El cerebro goloso y la obesidad. Las enfermedades a lo largo de la historia. El culto de Ana. La moda y la delgadez.

High-end dining in the nineteenth-century United States.

A look at what fine restaurants served in mid-nineteenth century America, using the New York Public Library's collection of menus from the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City for the years 1859 to 1865. With particular paid attention to the entrée category, 1,250 menus were analyzed. There are 900 different dishes mentioned, and the article discusses what were the most popular and the setting and customs governing such meals.

Avaliação de utilização de dietas da moda por pacientes de um ambulatório de especialidades em nutrição e suas implicações no metabolismo / Evaluation of the use of fad diets to patients at an outpatient specialty nutrition and its implications in metabolism

Objetivo: Avaliar a utilização de dietas da moda para emagrecimento por pacientes atendidos em um ambulatório de especialidades em nutrição, no norte do RS. Materiais e métodos: Essa pesquisa foi um estudo transversal, com amostra composta por 40 pacientes que responderam um questionário anônimo, antes do início do atendimento nutricional agendado. Resultado: Entre os pacientes, 11 relataram ter realizado dietas da moda, todos do sexo feminino. A dieta da sopa foi a mais citada. A maioria dos pacientes considerou muito ruim o resultado alcançado. A maior parte assinalou que o tempo de peso reduzido foi muito curto ou curto. Entre os sintomas mencionados, os mais frequentes foram fraqueza, irritabilidade e tontura. Em relação às dietas consideradas pelos pacientes prejudiciais à saúde, a da sopa foi a mais apontada. Conclusão: O uso de dietas da moda pelos pacientes questionados foi baixo, o que indica que esses indivíduos possuem adequado conhecimento sobre alimentação.

Objective: To evaluate the use of fad diets for weight loss for patients treated on an outpatient specialty in nutrition, in northern Brazil. Materials and methods: This study was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 40 patients who answered an anonymous questionnaire before the scheduled start of nutritional care. Results: Among patients, 11 reported having been on fad diets, all female. The soup diet was the most cited. Most patients felt very bad result. Most noted that the time was very short lightweight or short. Among the symptoms mentioned, the most common were weakness, dizziness and irritability. In relation to the diets for the patients considered harmful to health, the soup was the most pointed. Conclusion: The use of fad diets questioned by patients was low, indicating that these individuals have adequate knowledge about nutrition.

Composição nutricional de dietas para emagrecimento divulgadas em revistas não científicas / Nutritional breakdown of weight loss diet advertised in non-scientific publications

Introdução: Com o aumento mundial do excesso de peso e preocupação com emagrecimento entre os adultos, é crescente o surgimento de dietas populares divulgadas em revistas não científicas. Objetivo: Comparar a composição nutricional de dietas para emagrecimento encontradas em revistas femininas de circulação nacional com as recomendações dietéticas atuais de macro- e micronutrientes preconizadas para mulheres adultas jovens. Métodos: Foram selecionadas revistas publicadas em 2007. A composição nutricional das dietas foi calculada (Nutwin®) e comparada com recomendações atuais para macronutrientes (NCEP ATP III) e micronutrientes [cálcio, ferro, vitamina C e folato (DRIS,IOM)]. Biodisponibilidade de ferro do almoço e jantar também foi calculada. As dietas foram divididas em dois grupos: de grande restrição calórica [(GRC); 800-1200 kcal] ou de restrição calórica leve [(RCL); >1200 kcal] e comparadas. Resultados: Foram analisadas 86 dietas (17 exemplares; duas editoras) com aporte calórico de 709-1822 kcal/dia. Mais da metade das dietas analisadas tinha <50% das calorias totais de carboidratos. Foram encontradas maiores proporções de dietas inadequadas quando comparadas dietas GRC com RCL; conforme recomendações dos micronutrientes e cálcio (30,2% vs.11,6%; P=0,025), ferro (46,5% vs.16,3%; P=0,010) e folato (93,0% vs.72,1%; P=0,035). Maior proporção de dietas com GRC apresentaram baixa biodisponibilidade de ferro somente no almoço quando comparadas com as dietas com RCL (27,6% vs. 9,3%; P=0,013). Conclusão: Uma grande proporção de dietas com GRC apresentaram-se inadequadas às recomendações de micronutrientes para mulheres em idade fértil, maior do que as dietas com RCL. Os resultados sugerem necessidade de utilização desses instrumentos de divulgação de dietas para a população de forma mais favorável à saúde.

Introduction: Global increase of overweight and concern about weight loss among adults have led to an increase in popular diets presented in non-scientific magazines. Aim: To compare the nutritional breakdown of weight loss diets advertised in magazines with nationwide circulation to the current dietary macro and micronutrients recommended for young adult women. Methods: Magazines published in 2007 were selected. The nutritional breakdownof diets was calculated (Nutwin®) and compared to the current recommendations for macronutrients (NCEP ATP III) and micronutrients [calcium, iron, vitamin C and folate (DRIS, IOM)]. Iron bioavailability from lunch and dinner was also calculated. The diets were divided into two groups: high energy restricted [(HER) 800-1200 kcal] and mild energy restricted [MER >1200 kcal] and compared [Student t test, chi-square (SPSS ®)]. Results: Eighty-six diets were analyzed (17 magazines, two publishers), with daily calorie intake of 1154 (709-1822) kcal. More than half of the diets tested had less than 50% of calories from carbohydrates. A higher proportion of HER diets was classified as inadequate, according to recommendations for calcium (30.2% vs.11.6%, P=0.025), iron (46.5% vs.16.3%, P=0.010) and folate (93.0% vs.72.%, P=0.035), when compared to MER diets. A higher proportion of the HER diets group had low iron bioavailability only at lunch, when compared to MER diets (27.6% vs. 9.3%, P=0.013). Conclusion: A higher proportion of HER diets was inadequate to the micronutrient recommendations for women of childbearing age, compared to MER diets. The results suggest that it is necessary to make better use of these magazines to inform the population about diets.

Alternatives for macronutrient intake and chronic disease: a comparison of the OmniHeart diets with popular diets and with dietary recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Enhancements to current dietary advice to prevent chronic disease are of great clinical and public health importance. The OmniHeart Trial compared 3 diets designed to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-one high in carbohydrate and 2 that replaced carbohydrate with either unsaturated fat or protein. The lower carbohydrate diets improved the CVD risk factors. Several popular diets claiming health benefits emphasize carbohydrate, fat, or protein or various combined approaches. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the macronutrient contents of the OmniHeart trial diets to those of several popular diets and to evaluate each diet for consistency with national health guidelines. DESIGN: The macronutrient contents of 7-d menu plans from the OmniHeart Study, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Zone, Atkins, Mediterranean, South Beach, and Ornish diets were evaluated for consistency with the US Food and Nutrition Board's Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) and with the dietary recommendations of several health organizations. RESULTS: The OmniHeart diets fulfilled the major AMDRs, but, of the popular diets, only the Zone diet did. The OmniHeart diets were generally consistent with national guidelines to prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, whereas most popular diets had limitations for fulfilling one or more guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Although the OmniHeart protein and unsaturated fat diets were superior to the carbohydrate diet in improving CVD risk, all 3 study diets were consistent with national guidelines to reduce chronic disease risk, which suggests that the guidelines might now be fine-tuned to optimize disease prevention. Popular diets vary in their nutritional adequacy and consistency with guidelines for risk reduction.

Potential long-term consequences of fad diets on health, cancer, and longevity: lessons learned from model organism studies.

While much of the third world starves, many in the first world are undergoing an obesity epidemic, and the related epidemics of type II diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases associated with obesity. The amount of economic wealth being directly related to a decline in health by obesity is ironic because rich countries contribute billions of dollars to improve the health of their citizens. Nevertheless, nutritional experiments in model organisms such as yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice confirm that "caloric restriction" (CR), which is defined generally as a 30-40% decrease in caloric intake, a famine-like condition for humans seen only in the poorest of countries, promotes good health and increases longevity in model organisms. Because caloric restriction, and dieting in general, requires a great deal of will power to deal with the feelings of deprivation, many fad diets, such as the Atkins, South Beach, and Protein Power, have been developed which allow people to lose weight purportedly without the severe feelings of deprivation. However, the long-term effects of such fad diets are not known and few experiments have been performed in the laboratory to investigate possible side affects and adverse consequences. In this paper, we review studies with fad-like dietary conditions in humans and model organisms, and we propose a "Dietary Ames Test" to rapidly screen fad diets, dietary supplements, and drugs for potential long-term health consequences in model organisms.