Dietary guidelines challenged!
Dr. Ramon Estruch, CIBER OBN-University of Barcelona, Spain says their findings challenge current dietary guidelines, which have long hailed the benefits of a low-fat diet.
“More than 40 years of nutritional policy has advocated for a low-fat diet but we’re seeing little impact on rising levels of obesity,”
notes Dr. Estruch.
Our study shows that a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable fats such as olive oil and nuts had little effect on body weight or waist circumference compared to people on a low-fat diet.
Total fat intake reduction is considered a key strategy for reducing obesity, and the WHO recommend that total daily fat intake should not exceed 30% of daily calorie intake to save weight. The study authors say these guidelines fueled the perception that all fats are unhealthy so much so that in the United States, this has reduced fat consumption. They point out that such a decrease in fat intake failed to reduce overweight and obesity rates.
The Mediterranean diet, however, which is high in vegetable fats, like olive oil and nuts is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality.
Fear of fats according to the authors, may be giving a fear of consuming too much fat with a Mediterranean diet and gaining weight. Instead, they turn to the recommended low-fat diet. ….more