New diets improved the health of people struggling with overweight
Published: August 21, 2008
Source : NIFES
Globally, overweight and obesity is on the rise and considered to be a lifestyle disease. In Norway, overweight in the population has increased the last 50 years. Based on the white paper number 16 (2002-2003) “Recipe for a healthier Norway” a tariff for medical doctors was introduced in 2003. The aim was to encourage patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes to have a healthy diet and be physically active.
"A study based on this tariff examined how the diet composition affected health parameters and the lipid profile in the blood, in 30 overweight men and women", says Lisbeth Dahl, a researcher at the Seafood and Health Research Programme at the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES) in Norway. The study was part of a Master thesis in nutrition at the University in Bergen by Tatiana oven, in collaboration with NIFES and Vossamed medical center.
"Each participant had a weight loss of approximately 1-2 kg per month. This reduction could primarily be ascribed to a reduction of body fat. After 2 months, the blood samples showed a significant improvement of the lipid profile", says Dahl.
The new diet
The dietary advices for the participants included fish for dinner 3 times per week, daily use of various fish spread for lunch and snacks, daily intake of 2 portions of fruit and 3 portions of vegetables, and the use of low fat milk products. The intake of meat was reduced to 1-2 dinners of lean meat per week. The participants were also encouraged to increase their level of physical activity.
Improved health
The new diet resulted in a different blood lipid profile. After 10 months, the level of total cholesterol was reduced by 25% on average in the whole group. The bad cholesterol “LDL” was reduced by over 30% and the level of triglyceride was reduced by approximately 45% on average. The changes in blood lipid profile show that the risk of developing heart diseases and diabetes was significantly reduced. The study also shows that a diet rich in fat and antioxidants from fish and other seafood, fruit and vegetables is beneficial for your health and is thus an important part of a healthy diet.
Why change the diet?
A diet with a high content of saturated fat and sugar, and low in foods like fish and other seafood, brown bread, fruit and vegetables can contribute to the development of a number of lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer and diabetes. Prior to the study, the participants had a traditional Norwegian inland diet, with an emphasis on meat and dairy products. The participants’ energy intake from saturated fat and sugar was not in accordance with Norwegian nutritional recommendations.
Collaborating partners: The University of Bergen and Vossamed medical center.
Source
NIFESRelated topics:
Recommend
Comment
Share
Would you like to discuss another topic? Create a new post to engage with experts in the community.
Featured users in Aquaculture
Chris Beattie
MSD - Merck Animal Health
Global Head of Aquaculture at Merck Animal Health
United States
United States
