Contrary to popular belief obese women show greater capacity to alter diet patterns when induced with high dietary intake

A 4 week study conducted by Prof Reid on 41 obese women understood their responses to high-calorie intake. They were administered 4 x250 ml of sweetened beverage along with the regular diet everyday. They completed details on their food intake, moods and daily activities. 20 women were administered drinks which were sugar sweetened (430kcal/day). Remaining 20 were given diet which had equivalent calorie count or drinks artificially sweetened (41kcal/day). The women were informed of the dietary changes. The first group reduced their habitual intake by 378kcal by 4th week. This compensated the additional energy intake by 88%. Results prove that obese women, contrary to views that they cannot manage their diets were better able to do so. They were able to compensate for additional calories better than normal women. This proves that obese women voluntarily change their diet patterns depending on their intake of high kcal-diet or additional soft drinks.