Nutrition to manage excess body weight

While at the time of writing there is no evidence that weight loss resulting from dietary changes confers cardiovascular benefit, a healthy diet comprising fresh whole foods is beneficial in reducing ASCVD risk (see Nutrition and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk).

A range of weight loss programs and diets are available. The choice of weight loss program or diet should take into consideration the patient’s preferences and medical conditions.

Similar weight loss results can be achieved from a wide variety of eating plans or diets (eg Mediterranean-style, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, high-protein, intermittent fasting, ketogenic diet) but only if there is an overall reduction in energy intake. Regardless of the eating plan, healthy eating habits must be maintained long term to sustain weight loss.

Severely energy-restricted diets are often nutritionally inadequate. While the patient may achieve some weight loss initially, they are unlikely to maintain the weight loss as this type of diet is not sustainable long term.