Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

03-01-2024 | Obesity | REVIEW

Weight Loss Diets, Fads, and Trends

Authors: Shivani Jani, Anna Bradley

Published in: Current Obesity Reports | Issue 1/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review popular dietary trends and provide recommendations regarding validated dietary approaches for weight loss in the pediatric population.

Recent Findings

Like adults, children and adolescents trying to lose weight will succumb to diets promoted by the media. Many of these so-called “fad” diets tout unsupported claims for health but prove very difficult for long-term adherence. Since childhood is a pivotal time for establishing lifestyle habits, we need to provide practical dietary advice supported by scientific research. Studies suggest that emphasizing macronutrient balance while limiting both ultraprocessed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages can help our pediatric patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Summary

We review literature discouraging the use of restrictive dieting in the pediatric population and instead encourage a whole-foods-based, balanced dietary approach, along with regular physical activity. The goal is to support reasonable and sustainable lifestyle habits that ultimately allow children to establish lifelong health-promoting behaviors.
Literature
3.
4.
go back to reference Story M, Rosenwinkel K, Himes JH, Resnick M, Harris LJ, Blum RW. Demographic and risk factors associated with chronic dieting in adolescents. Am J Dis Child. 1991;145:994–8.PubMed Story M, Rosenwinkel K, Himes JH, Resnick M, Harris LJ, Blum RW. Demographic and risk factors associated with chronic dieting in adolescents. Am J Dis Child. 1991;145:994–8.PubMed
5.
go back to reference Daee A, Robinson P, Lawson M, Turpin JA, Gregory B, Tobias JD. Psychologic and physiologic effects of dieting in adolescents. South Med J. 2002;95:1032–41.CrossRefPubMed Daee A, Robinson P, Lawson M, Turpin JA, Gregory B, Tobias JD. Psychologic and physiologic effects of dieting in adolescents. South Med J. 2002;95:1032–41.CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Cameron JW. Self-esteem changes in children enrolled in weight management programs. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs. 1999;22:75–85.CrossRefPubMed Cameron JW. Self-esteem changes in children enrolled in weight management programs. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs. 1999;22:75–85.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Field AE, Austin SB, Taylor CB, et al. Relation between dieting and weight change among preadolescents and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2003;112:900–6.CrossRefPubMed Field AE, Austin SB, Taylor CB, et al. Relation between dieting and weight change among preadolescents and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2003;112:900–6.CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Technology and Media. The common sense census: media use by tweens and teens. 2021 Technology and Media. The common sense census: media use by tweens and teens. 2021
10.
go back to reference •• Athanasian CE, Lazarevic B, Kriegel ER, Milanaik RL. Alternative diets among adolescents: facts or fads? Curr Opin Pediatr. 2021;33(2):252–9. This review discusses popular fad diets like the Mediterranean, Paleo, vegan, and ketogenic diets as well as intermittent fasting. It focuses on the implementation and shortcomings of each diet. •• Athanasian CE, Lazarevic B, Kriegel ER, Milanaik RL. Alternative diets among adolescents: facts or fads? Curr Opin Pediatr. 2021;33(2):252–9. This review discusses popular fad diets like the Mediterranean, Paleo, vegan, and ketogenic diets as well as intermittent fasting. It focuses on the implementation and shortcomings of each diet.
12.
go back to reference Mahmood L, Flores-Barrantes P, Moreno LA, Manios Y, Gonzalez-Gil EM. The influence of parental dietary behaviors and practices on children’s eating habits. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1138.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Mahmood L, Flores-Barrantes P, Moreno LA, Manios Y, Gonzalez-Gil EM. The influence of parental dietary behaviors and practices on children’s eating habits. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1138.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
13.
go back to reference • Freire R. Scientific evidence of diets for weight loss: different macronutrient composition, intermittent fasting, and popular diets. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif). 2020;69:110549. This article synthesizes evidence suggesting that no single dietary strategy is superior for weight loss. Rather than macronutrient composition, more impactful factors include negative energy balance, nutritional quality, and long-term adherence. • Freire R. Scientific evidence of diets for weight loss: different macronutrient composition, intermittent fasting, and popular diets. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif). 2020;69:110549. This article synthesizes evidence suggesting that no single dietary strategy is superior for weight loss. Rather than macronutrient composition, more impactful factors include negative energy balance, nutritional quality, and long-term adherence.
14.
go back to reference Monzani A, Ricotti R, Caputo M, et al. A systematic review of the association of skipping breakfast with weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents. What should we better investigate in the future? Nutrients. 2019;11(2):387. Monzani A, Ricotti R, Caputo M, et al. A systematic review of the association of skipping breakfast with weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents. What should we better investigate in the future? Nutrients. 2019;11(2):387.
15.
go back to reference •• Hampl SE, Hassink SG, Skinner AC, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with obesity. Pediatrics (Evanston). 2023;151(2). This includes guidance for the treatment and evaluation of children and adolescents with obesity. It discusses a multipronged approach to managing obesity including behavioral changes, family involvement, and other strategies. •• Hampl SE, Hassink SG, Skinner AC, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with obesity. Pediatrics (Evanston). 2023;151(2). This includes guidance for the treatment and evaluation of children and adolescents with obesity. It discusses a multipronged approach to managing obesity including behavioral changes, family involvement, and other strategies.
16.
go back to reference Liu YM, Williams S, Basualdo-Hammond C, Stephens D, Curtis R. A prospective study: growth and nutritional status of children treated with the ketogenic diet. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103(6):707–12.CrossRefPubMed Liu YM, Williams S, Basualdo-Hammond C, Stephens D, Curtis R. A prospective study: growth and nutritional status of children treated with the ketogenic diet. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103(6):707–12.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference De Amicis R, Leone A, Pellizzari M, Foppiani A, Battezzati A, Lessa C, Tagliabue A, Ferraris C, De Giorgis V, Olivotto S, Previtali R, Veggiotti P, Bertoli S. Long-term follow-up of nutritional status in children with GLUT1 deficiency syndrome treated with classic ketogenic diet: a 5-year prospective study. Front Nutr. 2023;24(10):1148960.CrossRef De Amicis R, Leone A, Pellizzari M, Foppiani A, Battezzati A, Lessa C, Tagliabue A, Ferraris C, De Giorgis V, Olivotto S, Previtali R, Veggiotti P, Bertoli S. Long-term follow-up of nutritional status in children with GLUT1 deficiency syndrome treated with classic ketogenic diet: a 5-year prospective study. Front Nutr. 2023;24(10):1148960.CrossRef
18.
go back to reference Andrewski E, Cheng K, Vanderpool C. Nutritional deficiencies in vegetarian, gluten-free, and ketogenic diets. Pediatr Rev. 2022;43(2):61–70.CrossRefPubMed Andrewski E, Cheng K, Vanderpool C. Nutritional deficiencies in vegetarian, gluten-free, and ketogenic diets. Pediatr Rev. 2022;43(2):61–70.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Perry CL, McGuire MT, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Characteristics of vegetarian adolescents in a multiethnic urban population. J Adolesc Health. 2001;29:406–16.CrossRefPubMed Perry CL, McGuire MT, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Characteristics of vegetarian adolescents in a multiethnic urban population. J Adolesc Health. 2001;29:406–16.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Gehring J, Touvier M, Baudry J, Julia C, Buscail C, Srour B, Hercberg S, Péneau S, Kesse-Guyot E, Allès B. Consumption of ultra-processed foods by pesco-vegetarians, vegetarians, and vegans: associations with duration and age at diet initiation. J Nutr. 2021;151(1):120–31.CrossRefPubMed Gehring J, Touvier M, Baudry J, Julia C, Buscail C, Srour B, Hercberg S, Péneau S, Kesse-Guyot E, Allès B. Consumption of ultra-processed foods by pesco-vegetarians, vegetarians, and vegans: associations with duration and age at diet initiation. J Nutr. 2021;151(1):120–31.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Sergentanis TN, Chelmi ME, Liampas A, Yfanti CM, Panagouli E, Vlachopapadopoulou E, Michalacos S, Bacopoulou F, Psaltopoulou T, Tsitsika A. Vegetarian diets and eating disorders in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review. Children (Basel). 2020;8(1):12.PubMed Sergentanis TN, Chelmi ME, Liampas A, Yfanti CM, Panagouli E, Vlachopapadopoulou E, Michalacos S, Bacopoulou F, Psaltopoulou T, Tsitsika A. Vegetarian diets and eating disorders in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review. Children (Basel). 2020;8(1):12.PubMed
22.
go back to reference U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. 2023. Average healthy eating index-2020 scores for the U.S. population - total ages 2 and older and by age groups, WWEIA, NHANES 2017–2018. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. 2023. Average healthy eating index-2020 scores for the U.S. population - total ages 2 and older and by age groups, WWEIA, NHANES 2017–2018.
23.
go back to reference Calcaterra V, Klersy C, Muratori T, et al. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents with varying degrees of obesity. Clinical endocrinology (Oxford). 2008;68(6):868–72.CrossRefPubMed Calcaterra V, Klersy C, Muratori T, et al. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents with varying degrees of obesity. Clinical endocrinology (Oxford). 2008;68(6):868–72.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Bass R, Eneli I. Severe childhood obesity: an under-recognised and growing health problem. Postgrad Med J. 2015;91(1081):639–45.CrossRefPubMed Bass R, Eneli I. Severe childhood obesity: an under-recognised and growing health problem. Postgrad Med J. 2015;91(1081):639–45.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Gardner CD, Trepanowski JF, Del Gobbo LC, et al. Effect of low-fat vs low-carbohydrate diet on 12-month weight loss in overweight adults and the association with genotype pattern or insulin secretion: the DIETFITS randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2018;319(7):667–79.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Gardner CD, Trepanowski JF, Del Gobbo LC, et al. Effect of low-fat vs low-carbohydrate diet on 12-month weight loss in overweight adults and the association with genotype pattern or insulin secretion: the DIETFITS randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2018;319(7):667–79.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
26.
go back to reference Zachary M, Sisley S. The pediatric obesity encounter: literature and resources to help with 4 common issues. Current nutrition reports. 2020;9(2):94–100.CrossRefPubMed Zachary M, Sisley S. The pediatric obesity encounter: literature and resources to help with 4 common issues. Current nutrition reports. 2020;9(2):94–100.CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Livingston AS, Cudhea F, Wang L, et al. Effect of reducing ultraprocessed food consumption on obesity among US children and adolescents aged 7–18 years: evidence from a simulation model. BMJ nutrition, prevention & health. 2021;4(2):397–404.CrossRef Livingston AS, Cudhea F, Wang L, et al. Effect of reducing ultraprocessed food consumption on obesity among US children and adolescents aged 7–18 years: evidence from a simulation model. BMJ nutrition, prevention & health. 2021;4(2):397–404.CrossRef
28.
go back to reference • Hall KD, Ayuketah A, Brychta R, Cai H, Cassimatis T, Chen KY, Chung ST, Costa E, Courville A, Darcey V, Fletcher LA, Forde CG, Gharib AM, Guo J, Howard R, Joseph PV, McGehee S, Ouwerkerk R, Raisinger K, Rozga I, Stagliano M, Walter M, Walter PJ, Yang S, Zhou M. Ultra-Processed diets cause excess calorie intake and weight gain: an inpatient randomized controlled trial of ad libitum food intake. Cell Metab. 2019;30(1):67-77.e3. This study showed that ultraprocessed foods were associated with weight gain. • Hall KD, Ayuketah A, Brychta R, Cai H, Cassimatis T, Chen KY, Chung ST, Costa E, Courville A, Darcey V, Fletcher LA, Forde CG, Gharib AM, Guo J, Howard R, Joseph PV, McGehee S, Ouwerkerk R, Raisinger K, Rozga I, Stagliano M, Walter M, Walter PJ, Yang S, Zhou M. Ultra-Processed diets cause excess calorie intake and weight gain: an inpatient randomized controlled trial of ad libitum food intake. Cell Metab. 2019;30(1):67-77.e3. This study showed that ultraprocessed foods were associated with weight gain.
29.
go back to reference U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Available at DietaryGuidelines.gov U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Available at DietaryGuideline​s.​gov
30.
go back to reference • Malik VS, An P, Willey WC, Hu FB. Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;98(4):1084–102. This systematic review showed that sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with weight gain in children and adults. • Malik VS, An P, Willey WC, Hu FB. Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;98(4):1084–102. This systematic review showed that sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with weight gain in children and adults.
31.
go back to reference Vos MB, Kaar JL, Welsh JA, Van Horn LV, Feig DI, Anderson CAM, Patel MJ, Cruz Munos J, Krebs NF, Xanthakos SA, Johnson RK. American heart association nutrition committee of the council on lifestyle and cardiometabolic health; Council on clinical cardiology; Council on cardiovascular disease in the young; Council on cardiovascular and stroke nursing; Council on epidemiology and prevention; Council on functional genomics and translational biology; and Council on hypertension. Added sugars and cardiovascular disease risk in children: a scientific statement from the American heart association. Circulation. 2017;135(19):e1017–34. Vos MB, Kaar JL, Welsh JA, Van Horn LV, Feig DI, Anderson CAM, Patel MJ, Cruz Munos J, Krebs NF, Xanthakos SA, Johnson RK. American heart association nutrition committee of the council on lifestyle and cardiometabolic health; Council on clinical cardiology; Council on cardiovascular disease in the young; Council on cardiovascular and stroke nursing; Council on epidemiology and prevention; Council on functional genomics and translational biology; and Council on hypertension. Added sugars and cardiovascular disease risk in children: a scientific statement from the American heart association. Circulation. 2017;135(19):e1017–34.
Metadata
Title
Weight Loss Diets, Fads, and Trends
Authors
Shivani Jani
Anna Bradley
Publication date
03-01-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Keywords
Obesity
Obesity
Published in
Current Obesity Reports / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2162-4968
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-023-00529-w

Keynote series | Spotlight on menopause

Menopause can have a significant impact on the body, with effects ranging beyond the endocrine and reproductive systems. Learn about the systemic effects of menopause, so you can help patients in your clinics through the transition.   

Prof. Martha Hickey
Dr. Claudia Barth
Dr. Samar El Khoudary
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Watch now

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on adolescent vaping

Growing numbers of young people are using e-cigarettes, despite warnings of respiratory effects and addiction. How can doctors tackle the epidemic, and what health effects should you prepare to manage in your clinics?

Prof. Ann McNeill
Dr. Debbie Robson
Benji Horwell
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Watch now

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on modern management of frailty

Frailty has a significant impact on health and wellbeing, especially in older adults. Our experts explain the factors that contribute to the development of frailty and how you can manage the condition and reduce the risk of disability, dependency, and mortality in your patients.

Prof. Alfonso Cruz-Jentoft
Prof. Barbara C. van Munster
Prof. Mirko Petrovic
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Watch now

A quick guide to ECGs

Improve your ECG interpretation skills with this comprehensive, rapid, interactive course. Expert advice provides detailed feedback as you work through 50 ECGs covering the most common cardiac presentations to ensure your practice stays up to date. 

PD Dr. Carsten W. Israel
Developed by: Springer Medizin
Start the cases

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine
Read more