Overweight and obesity is increasing in most countries, including Norway, and the optimal diet for reducing weight is under discussion. The present study in overweight and moderate obese individuals compares a low glycemic load diet with a standard low-fat diet (as recommended from the National Nutrition Council) in an open, randomized trial over 12 months, with changes in weight loss and changes in cardiovascular risk markers as endpoints.

Overweight and obesity is rapidly increasing in most countries, including Norway, and at present there is controversy regarding what diet should be recommended for reducing weight and the complications of obesity.

The present study is performed in in 200 overweight and moderate obese individuals, that is in men with body mass index (BMI) from 28 to 40, and women with BMI 28-35. To be included, the participants should also have at least one component of the metabolic syndrome.

After a medical examination and check for inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants are randomized to one the two following diets: 1) A low-glycemic load diet aiming at a macronutrient composition with 25-30% of energy from protein, 35-40% from fat and 30-35% from carbohydrate or 2) A low-fat diet aiming at a macronutrient composition with 15% of energy from protein, 25-30% from fat and 55-60% from carbohydrate.

Each group will have 9 dietary counselling sessions in the course of the study; baseline, week 2, month 1,3,4,5,6 and 9. Recommended total energy intake will be individualized based on the metabolic rate at rest for each subject, and using a physical activity level of 1,4. A 500 kcal/day deficit relative to the daily energy requirements will be recommended.

The primary objective will be to compare the effects of the two different diet recommendations with respect to the one-year change in body weight.

As secondary objectives the study will compare the consequences of the two strategies with respect to 3, 6, and 12 months development of the variables glucose/insulin, insulin sensitivity index, number of metabolic syndrome factors, high sensitive C-reactive protein, lipids, lipoprotein B and anthropometric indices (waist /hip ratio). Serum will be frozen for additional parameters as leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin and ICAM. Also to be studied is an additional weight at 18 months follow-up, when no more advice is given past the 9-month visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men or women age 30-65,
• BMI in the range 28-35 kg/m2 for women and 28-40kg/m2 for men.
• At least one of the following components of the metabolic syndrome; fasting triglycerides > 1,7, fasting glucose 6,0-6,9, HDL-cholesterol <1,03 (males) or <1,29 (females), Blood pressure >130/85 (with or without treatment), diet-treated diabetes mellitus or drug treated hypertension.
• Stable weight range of 4 kg or less the last 12 weeks,
• No major change in physical activity the last 12 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any symptomatic cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes requiring drug treatment
• Currently on special diet
• Hepatic/renal dysfunction
• Hypothyroidism (unstable)
• GI disorder impairing compliance with diet recommendation,
• History of unstable psychiatric or medical disorder,
• Need of lipid lowering drug,
• Alcohol or drug abuse,
• Participation in drug trial the last 30 days,
• Use of drugs for weight reduction last 12 weeks, pregnancy or planned pregnancy,
• Obesity of known endocrine origin, history of obesity surgery,
• Uncontrolled hypertension (>160/100),
• Previous participation in >3 weight reduction programs, or within last 12 months,
• Not willing to be randomized,
• Individual judged to be unable to follow instructions and procedures of the study