Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the last decades and as so
successful weight loss diets have been pursuit. Different dietary approaches, with
distinct macronutrients distribution, have been studied. Low-fat, low-carbohydrate
and/or high-protein diets are among the most used diets for obesity research and in
clinical practice. However, their effects on obesity management, including in metabolic
complications often associated, are not completely clarified. Moreover, additional
questions arose inside each macronutrient group, being the following ones just a few:
are all sugars equal for weight control? How does saturated vs. unsaturated fatty acids
ingestion affect weight loss? What are the differences between animal or vegetable
protein intake, regarding weight management? Taking all evidence together, it seems
impossible to define an ideal macronutrients’ distribution for weight loss and
maintenance that fits everyone. Energy-restricted diets continue to be the most
successful weight loss strategy, independently of macronutrient distribution. However,
severe restriction of fat or carbohydrates do not seem to have an additional benefit for
weight control as compared to a more balanced macronutrient distribution, as occurs in
Mediterranean diet. Importantly, diets must be individualized and based on the personal
and cultural preferences in order to promote a successful weight loss and maintenance
in the long-term.
Keywords: Animal protein, Conjugated linoleic acid, Energy-restricted diet,
Fibre, Fructose, Glycemic index, High-fructose corn syrup, High-protein diets,
Ketogenic diets, Low-carbohydrate diets, Low-fat diets, n-3 fatty acids, n-6 fatty
acids, Saturated fatty acid, Sugar addiction, Trans fatty acid, Unsaturated fatty
acid, Vegetable protein, Weight loss, Weight maintenance.
