ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews dietary approaches to obesity
treatment, with an emphasis on the relative roles of fat,
carbohydrate, and protein, as well as other nutrients with a
putative role on energy balance. It begins with an over-
view of the general characteristics and functions of macro-
nutrients. Then the relative effects of these macronutrients
on hunger and satiety are discussed. In addition, the
effects of unique characteristics of food, including glyce-
mic index (GI) and energy density, on satiety and the
regulation of energy balance are explored. Finally, the
efficacy of various macronutrient-and micronutrient-
based strategies for weight loss is examined.
