Loss This Project Represents My

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This project represents my research into the topic of effective long-term weight loss. My research process consisted of first investigating two of the most popular diets that I am familiar with from the media as well as from the experiences of several friends and acquaintances. I selected The Atkins Diet and the Slim-Fast Diet because both of them have been widely followed and are considerably successful from their perspectives.

To compare the information provided by the two official websites of those programs, the second phase of my research consisted of a review of two authoritative websites maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health. The third phase of my research consisted of a search for past reviews of the Atkins and Slim-Fast programs in informational news magazines such as Consumer Reports, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report. The final phase of my research consisted of a review of authoritative academic textbooks, and information about the topic published in books authored by credentialed authorities in the nutritional field.

Date of Research 4 / / 09 -- Popular Weight Loss Diets:

The Official Atkins Diet Website. http://www.atkins.com/Atkins-home.html

The Official Slim-Fast Website: http://www.slim-

fast.com/homepage.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={ke yword}&utm_content={ifsearch:search}&utm_campaign=brand

My research into the information provided by the Atkins Diet revealed that the Atkins program requires the nearly complete elimination of all carbohydrates from the "induction phase" at the start of the diet, followed by a "maintenance" period of slightly less restrictive rules. The Atkins program is based on the principle that carbohydrates are the primary cause of overweight and obesity and that a diet severely restricted in carbohydrates allows for optimal weight loss and maintenance. The Atkins promotional materials contain multiple images of succulent-looking high-fat foods such as steaks and eggs that are not restricted by the plan. In that regard, one of the main selling points seems to be that the program allows many foods that are prohibited under other weight loss plans. According to Atkins, the depletion of carbohydrates increases the rate that the body burns fat and allows the dieter to consume many high-fat foods that other diets restrict (Atkins.com, 2009).

The Slim-Fast information seems designed to appeal to people who consider themselves very busy. Whereas the Atkins website presents images of foods it allows, the Slim-Fast website presents more images of individuals who supposedly represent successful example of people who have achieved their goals through the program. The Slim-Fast program consists of proprietary foods in the form of liquid shakes and meal-replacement bars and a calorie-restricted diet. The dieter is supposed to replace both breakfast and lunch with a Slim-Fast bar or shake and then follow guidelines for a low-calorie dinner prepared by the dieter (Slim-Fast.com, 2009).

Date of Research 4 / / 09 -- Authoritative Web Sites:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2009) The Surgeon General's

Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved April

22, 2009 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration public website, at:

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/

National Institutes of Health (2008) NIH Obesity Research. Retrieved April 22,

2009 from the National Institutes of Health public website, at:

http://obesityresearch.nih.gov/

The main thrust of the two government websites is the direct link between overweight and obesity and numerous diseases such as diabetes and various cardiac, circulatory system, and other serious diseases. According to the sources, overweight and obesity is increasing at nearly epidemic proportions in the U.S., and even includes

children of whom a very high percentage are clinically overweight and at risk of lifelong obesity (HHS, 2009; NIH, 2008). Both the U.S. Surgeon General and the National

Institutes of Health recommend against popular fad diets and suggest that dieters lose weight gradually by following sensible guidelines such as those provided by the newly-

revised food pyramid. Both websites specifically recommend that dieters reduce their intake of high-fat foods, fast foods, and foods with high sugar content and suggest that weight loss through this method is more sustainable over the long-term than weight losses attributable to fad diets (HHS, 2009; NIH, 2008).

Date of Research 4 / / 09 -- Critical Diet Reviews and News Magazines:

Baldauf, S. "Too Fat? No More Excuses: Research Is Revealing How Very