No best diet, calories key to weight lost

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Chinese medianet)-- Cutting calories

and sticking with it is the best way to lose weight regardless of whether a diet

emphasizes fat, protein, or carbohydrates, according to a new study published

Wednesday.

As the world grapples with rising obesity, millions

have turned to popular diets like Atkins, Zone and Ornish that tout the benefits

of one nutrient over another. The debate has been going on for two decades on

which diet is best for weight loss.

However, a U.S. study shows that would-be dieters

should choose the weight-loss program that they are most comfortable with, as

long as it is high in fiber and low in calories and saturated fat.

"All the diets were winners," said study co-author

Dr. Frank Sacks, a professor of cardiovascular disease prevention at the Harvard

School of Public Health.

"The key really is that it's calories. It's not the

content of fat or carbohydrates, it's just calories," said Sacks. The findings

are published in the latest edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers randomly assigned 811 overweight adults

to one of four diets, each of which contained different levels of fat, protein

and carbohydrates.

Regardless of diet, most participants had dramatic

weight loss after six months. Reductions in weight and waist size were similar

in all groups.

"There's no special diet that's better for weight

loss than any other," Sacks said. "As long as it's healthy for you -- high in

unsaturated fats, high in whole grains and fiber, low in junk foods and high

carb-junk foods, and low in fatty meats -- any of these variations will be fine

for losing weight."

(Agencies)