summary
Overweight and obesity are associated with excess cardiovascular risk. To reduce cardiovascular
risk at the population level, the prevention of overweight and obesity is key. This
requires adoption of a healthy lifestyle, including less inactivity and more moderate-to-vigorous
physical activity, and a healthy diet. Diet composition may facilitate weight gain
prevention and weight loss. Effects of dietary fats, carbohydrates and proteins will
be discussed in this context. Current evidence indicates that moderation of the intake
of (saturated) fat, a moderate increase in protein content of the diet, a replacement
of refined grain/high glucose index (GI) by whole-grain/low GI carbohydrates and limitation
of the consumption of calorically-sweetened beverages are likely to facilitate weight
control.
Keywords
Nutrition - obesity - prevention
