The only other big published study that put Atkins (slightly) ahead of a few other diets also resulted in the same low weight loss. Participants lost an average of 6 pounds in the course of one year (almost the same as the other diets studied). And it was a PURE Atkins program that followed the menus in the book, and that didn't encourage plant based protein and fats.

Whether the protein was animal or plant, the diet in this study was "Atkins-like" in that it followed the low carb counts of induction and OWL. I thought it was interesting that the Med group included many more carbs and a wide variety of vegetables and they lost the same amount of weight as the carb controlled group.

I have to admit that I'm rather tired of studies that compare diet to diet and say "here this one was better." I think we've come to the point that we know that, like people, all diets are not created equally. Intuitively, some are going to be better for CERTAIN individuals than others, and there's not a lot of research into finding out the variables that make one plan better for a certain individual than others. And maybe because they haven't found ANY that seems to work very well, they're not looking for more complicated research, but I think that's one of the reasons that THEY aren't finding any of particular success. I think a weight loss program has to be tailor-made to the individual, and for many people may have to include components like nutrition counseling, social support, maybe even "family intervention," and ways to offer or encourage physical therapy/exercise.

I mean there's some "anectdotal" recommendations. Some fibromylagia resources suggest that "the Zone" diet of 60/40/40 carbs/fat/protein) helps control symptom. This hasn't been thoroughly researched, just clusters of fibromites saying it has worked for them. Ironically the Zone is considered a low carb plan by many, and is included in Elizabeth Ward's book, The Low-Carb Bible (good book, by the way).

Insulin Resistant folks may do better on low-carb (a little research, but not much, according to my doctor).

Ornish (very low fat, mostly vegetarian) is supposedly very good for heart disease patients, but very difficult to stick to (with a drop out rate up to 95%). What good is a plan that works, but no one will follow, well if we'd get rid of the idea that only perfection "counts" maybe a lot more.

I think most of us who have battled our weight for 5 years or more, could design a better study than half these geniuses doing the research.

I'm being bitter. I know it's hard to design a good weight loss study, because most people will drop out or be unable or unwilling to comply to the diet as directed. Unless you put eveyone in a locked-down hospital, and searched visitors and staff before they had contact with the patient/participants, compliance is going to be a problem (and I would bet that "smuggling in" off-plan foods would still be a problem). It's the way people are built.

Ornish's plan was originally just for heart patients, because once you reach that point drastic measures are necessary. A lot of research and published clinical studies proved it really did help heart patients. Then there was the less restrictive version that was more for heart disease prevention, and again this plan was really designed for people with concerns about heart health. Weight loss was a fringe benefit, although weight loss in itself was crucial to heart disease prevention and treatment. As far as I know, it was never intended for the average overweight person who simply wanted to drop some weight. You pick your goal and choose your diet accordingly, so the Ornish plan may very well be best for some people, but most average dieters are not going to consider it. However, it is considered an extreme low fat diet just as Atkins is considered an extreme low carb diet. So the media grabs it and holds on for attention sucking headlines, and therefore sends mixed messages. I think that's the case in this situation as well. "Atkins" better than the Mediterranean diet? That's sure good for headlines. Then when you pick apart the study, you have to scratch your chin because that's not exactly what the study showed.

Edited to add: I just found out that this study found that women on the Atkins plan lost an average of just 4 pounds over the 2 year period, while women on the Med diet lost 14. Another study done on a vegan high nutrient density diet lost an average of 53 pounds over 2 years.

I don't do Atkins (though I have read the book) but I do limit my carb in-take and I have seen great results with this kind of eating so far; my binging is controlled, I've lost inches and a dress size, I have lots of energy, I'm building muscle like whoa, etc. I've also grown extremely skeptical about the benefits of a low-fat diet. A few of the books I've read on the subject have actually traced connection between the push for low-fat diets and beginning of the obesity epidemic in the US, since low-fat almost always means high-carb. I'm at work now, but I can quote the source later at home, if I have a moment.

Though, as Kaplods said, no one diet strategy is right for everyone; everyone has a unique biochemical and genetic make-up that, well, make them and their circumstances special and I have no doubt that people can and do lose lots of weight (and keep it off) on high/"normal" carb and low fat diets. But for me... eating too many carbs leads to binging, which leads to weight gain and depression and the like. Eating high protein/(healthy) fat foods keeps me satisfied and helps me shed the pounds.

And again to agree with Kaplods -- I think we could run a weight loss study better than the "researchers" too.

If they truly did eat a diet of vegetable based proteins and fats then this would be expected. Would it have been the same otherwise? We don't really know. But I know people that followed the animal protein/fat version of Atkins that did eventually report increased cholesterol. While an initial drop in cholesterol is expected with any weight loss diet (since it's due to the weight loss and not the diet) after a while the source of fat in our diet does seem to matter.

A few years ago, we did a survey on site to see what diets everyone was following and if they were happy with them, and if not then why. Over 4,000 people responded. Most of the people that followed Atkins or other low carb diets reported quitting because they either found it too restrictive to stick to, or they lost some weight but felt it was unhealthy (based on blood work results, etc). Of those that quit Atkins (or other low carb) many moved on to South Beach and were more successful and satisfied with the options and effect on their health. Still, South Beach came in second in the survey. The most popular diet plan was Weight Watchers, due to flexibility, easy to stick to for the duration, and effectiveness.