DASH to Weight Loss

A recent article in Nutrition & Dietetics, an Australian scientific journal, examines the effectiveness of dietary approaches for weight loss among overweight or obese men. The men were randomly assigned to follow one of two weight loss diets for 12 weeks.

The first group of participants used the WELL (Weight Loss, Exercise, Lower blood pressure and Longevity) eating plan, based on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. This required subjects to consume a minimum number of daily servings of milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds and legumes. The second group of participants, assigned to a lowfat diet, was provided general advice on maintaining a healthy diet, but was not given specific daily servings.

Results indicated that although both groups lost an average of 5 percent to 6 percent of their total body weight, the WELL eating plan group consumed more servings of milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables than the lowfat diet group. By working towards the target for dairy food consumption of three servings per day, the WELL eating plan participants increased daily consumption of dairy foods, which enabled them to meet their daily calcium requirements and aided a greater reduction in blood pressure.

Booth, A. et al. Dietary Approaches for Weight Loss with Increased Intakes of Fruit, Vegetable and Dairy Products. Nutrition & Dietetics 2008;65: 115-120.

Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association has new materials and tools, including a DASH PowerPoint presentation, that will be available soon. If you are interested, please contact us.