Low-Carbohydrate, Low-Fat, and Balanced Diets in Weight Reduction among Obese Adolescents.

Ashraf A. Elsharkawy, Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Gihan Fouad Ahmad, Department of Pediatrics, National Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt
Ahmed El-Husseiny, Pediatrics, Critical care unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Amany K. Elhawary, Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Ola Shawky Ahmed, Department of Public health, National Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt
Asmaa Taha Zaher Taha, Department of Field Studies and Research, National Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt
Fatma El-Zahraa M. Hashish, Sherbin Central Hospital, Ministry of Health and Population, Shirbin City, Dakahleya, EgyptFollow

Subject Area

Endocrinology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Obesity in adolescents is a major public health concern, leading to early onset of metabolic abnormalities. This study aimed to compare the effects of the Low- Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) and Low-Fat Diet (LFD) in comparison with the balanced calculated diet (BCD) on weight reduction in obese adolescents and their impact on metabolic health markers. Patients and methods: 75 obese adolescents aged less than 18 years were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, controlled study and were randomly assigned to either LCD group, LFD group, or BCD group. Anthropometric and laboratory measures were collected before and after a 10-week intervention. Results: There was a significant reduction in weight-for-age and BMI-for-age Z-scores in the LCD, LFD, and BCD groups after intervention compared to before, with the LCD group demonstrating a significantly lower weight-for-age Z-score. A significant weight reduction was reported in all groups across the 10-week follow-up period, with the LCD group having the highest mean weight loss. LCD and BCD diets showed significantly decreased cholesterol (CH) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels from before to after intervention. After intervention, the BCD group had a significant lowering in LDL-C compared with the LCD and LFD groups. Conclusion: All dietary approaches were effective in lowering weight and enhancing metabolic health in obese adolescents. The LCD exhibited the most considerable weight loss, whereas the BCD showed greater benefits from LDL-C reduction. These findings suggest that a customized, personalized, case-by-case dietary plan may be the most effective strategy for managing adolescent obesity.

Recommended Citation

Elsharkawy, Ashraf A.; Ahmad, Gihan Fouad; El-Husseiny, Ahmed; Elhawary, Amany K.; Ahmed, Ola Shawky; Taha, Asmaa Taha Zaher; and Hashish, Fatma El-Zahraa M. (2025) "Low-Carbohydrate, Low-Fat, and Balanced Diets in Weight Reduction among Obese Adolescents.," Mansoura Medical Journal: Vol. 55 : Iss. 1 , Article 16.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58775/2735-3990.1507