Mediterranean diet and calorie restriction show similar weight loss results in study

A two-year randomized clinical study published in JAMA Network Open, known as the DELISH study, compared the effectiveness of a Mediterranean-style diet against a calorie-restricted diet for weight loss.

The study involved 360 adults aged 18 to 75 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The Mediterranean group followed a three-stage program focusing on food quality, weight loss, and weight maintenance. The control group focused primarily on reducing energy intake. Both groups received advice on moderate physical activity.

After two years, researchers found no statistically significant difference in weight loss between the two methods. The Mediterranean group lost an average of 3.40% of their initial body weight, while the calorie-restriction group lost 3.51%.