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Low-Carbohydrate Diet Works for Teenagers

Obese teens have short-term success with the popular diet.

Low-carbohydrate (LC) diets, such as the Atkins diet, have become very popular weight-loss regimens for adults. The absence of data on the effects of such diets in teenagers prompted these authors to compare the success of 2 weight-loss programs in 30 obese 12- to 18-year-olds (BMI, >95th percentile for age; approximately 35.5 kg/m²) who were referred to an atherosclerosis prevention clinic. The teenagers were randomized to either a LC or low-fat diet.

Compared with the low-fat dieters, the LC dieters lost more weight (mean, 9.9±9.3 kg vs. 4.1±4.9 kg; P<0.04) and had a greater reduction in BMI (mean, 3.3±3.0 kg/m² vs. 1.5±1.7 kg/m²; P<0.05) during the 12-week study period, despite having a greater total daily energy intake (mean, 1830±615 kcal vs. 1100±297 kcal). The LC dieters did not show a significant worsening in lipid profiles, even with a high fat intake. No subject dropped out of the study because of side effects. Among the 16 teens on the LC diet, constipation (3 subjects) and headache (2) were the most common adverse effects. Two of 4 participants who discontinued the LC diet did so because of discomfort with the idea of eating a high-fat diet.

Comment: The results of this small study are consistent with findings from previous studies in adults. An LC ketogenic diet is effective for short-term weight loss in teenagers. One advantage of the diet is that patients do not need to reduce energy intake to an extreme level to lose weight. Pediatricians should recognize, however, that this diet has not been shown to be safe in preteens and that its long-term benefits require further study.

— F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine June 23, 2003

Citation(s):

Sondike SB et al. Effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight adolescents. J Pediatr 2003 Mar; 142:253-8.

• Medline abstract (Free)