Volunteers Advised to Adjust Diet for Weight Loss Success

In a recent study led by Manabu Nakamura, a professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), volunteers were instructed to increase their daily protein intake to 80 grams and fiber to 20 grams while limiting their caloric intake to 1,500 calories per day. This recommendation marks a significant reduction from the typical daily caloric intake of 2,000 to 2,500 calories. The iDip approach allows participants to explore various dietary options, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable weight maintenance. Despite these guidelines, the study revealed that approximately 59% of participants lost only slightly more than 2% of their initial weight after one year. Researchers noted that those who focused on increasing their protein and fiber intake experienced the most substantial weight loss. Mindy H. Lee, a registered dietitian-nutritionist and the study's first author, emphasized the importance of balancing increased protein and fiber with reduced calorie consumption to enhance the safety and effectiveness of weight loss diets. The research team acknowledged the limitations of their study, including a small participant group and a brief observational period. Notably, participants who lost more than 5% of their starting weight managed to retain most of their muscle mass, with 78% of the weight lost being fat. Nakamura highlighted the growing popularity of weight-loss medications like Ozempic, which can lead to decreased appetite and rapid weight loss, making adequate protein and fiber intake even more critical for those using such drugs.