A Two‐Year Randomized Weight Loss Trial Comparing a Vegan Diet to a More Moderate Low‐Fat Diet

• DOI: 10.1038/oby.2007.270
• Publication Date: 2008-07-17T22:40:42Z
• Authors: Gabrielle M. Turn...; Neal D. Barnard; Anthony R. Scialli
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; Time Factors; Diet, Reducing; Diet, Vegetarian; Body Weight; Middle Aged; Overweight; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health; Postmenopause; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; Weight Loss; Humans; Female; Energy Intake; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Aged

AbstractObjective: The objective was to assess the effect of a low‐fat, vegan diet compared with the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) diet on weight loss maintenance at 1 and 2 years.Research Methods and Procedures: Sixty‐four overweight, postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to a vegan or NCEP diet for 14 weeks, and 62 women began the study. The study was done in two replications. Participants in the first replication (N = 28) received no follow‐up support after the 14 weeks, and those in the second replication (N = 34) were offered group support meetings for 1 year. Weight and diet adherence were measured at 1 and 2 years for all participants. Weight loss is reported as median (interquartile range) and is the difference from baseline weight at years 1 and 2.Results: Individuals in the vegan group lost more weight than those in the NCEP group at 1 year [−4.9 (−0.5, −8.0) kg vs. −1.8 (0.8, −4.3); p < 0.05] and at 2 years [−3.1 (0.0, −6.0) kg vs. −0.8 (3.1, −4.2) kg; p < 0.05]. Those participants offered group support lost more weight at 1 year (p < 0.01) and 2 years (p < 0.05) than those without support. Attendance at meetings was associated with improved weight loss at 1 year (p < 0.001) and 2 years (p < 0.01).Discussion: A vegan diet was associated with significantly greater weight loss than the NCEP diet at 1 and 2 years. Both group support and meeting attendance were associated with significant weight loss at follow‐up.