Minimal Effect of Low-Fat Diets

As discussed previously, diets are a poor method of improving body composition.  In the short term, any type of diet - low-fat, low-carb, etc. - will produce weight loss.  Over the long run (1 year or more), most or all of this weight will come back.

Many people think low-fat diets are an exception to this rule.  In a very small way, these diets are an exception - but only a minimal one.  This recent meta-analysis (analysis of all available studies) shows the average weight loss from a low-fat diet over the course of a year: 7 lbs.  This is hardly the results people are looking for when they drastically change their diet.

In terms of weight loss, any effort put into a low-fat diet would be better funneled into exercise.  A weight loss of 1 lb per week is feasible given enough exercise.  While low-fat diets may have other health benefits associated with them, they are not an effective way to lose weight.