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.