LECTURES

Ottawa Heart Institute Alumni Fall Lecture
October 30, 2001

"Diet Fads: Super Health or Super Hype?"
Elizabeth Mansfield, M.Sc., RD
Nutritionist and Exercise Specialist, Lipid Clinic

Ms. Mansfield gave an informative and entertaining presentation. She described dieting as an activity practiced by 75 million North Americans, costing $50 billion a year that may cause dehydration, bad breath, fatigue, fainting spells, osteoporosis, kidney problems, and even death.

So, why do people diet?

• Because of societal pressure - "thin is in!"
• Because they feel uncomfortable in their bodies and unhappy with themselves
• Because they want to lose weight rapidly for a special occasion
• For better health - reduce cholesterol, decrease elevated blood sugars, etc.
• Failure with other approaches

		Weight loss is simple. Calories consumed must be less than calories used up!
		Watch out for diets that promise dramatic weight loss in a short period of time. Quick weight loss = Quick gain back!
		Look out for diets that stress one food. Your body needs nutrients from a variety of foods!
		Avoid diets with extremely low caloric intake. Your metabolism becomes highly efficient and you will have no energy for physical activity. You need to eat to lose weight!

Some of the Fad Diets

• Low Calorie: Last Chance, Optifast
• Pre-measured: The Zone, Jenny Craig
• Low Fat: Pritikin's, Fit or Fat
• Novelty: Fit for Life, Eat to Succeed, Champagne Diet
• Low Carbohydrate: Atkin's, Carbohydrate Addicts' Diet, Protein Power

Elizabeth Mansfield is one of a group of Registered Dieticians and Exercise Specialists associated with Peak Performance, an Ottawa-based health promotion company. They provide general information on common nutritional/medical topics at www.peakperformance.on.ca.

For information on physical activity and to obtain a copy of Canada's physical activity guide, visit Health Canada's www.paguide.com.

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