Comparison of The Effect of Ketogenic Diet and Low Caloric Diet On Weight Loss in Iranian Obese and Overweight Children

Overweight and obesity has increased in prevalence over the last two decades in many developed and developing countries including Iran. The aim of this present study was to compare the weight reduction effects of ketogenic and low calorie diets on overweight and obese Iranian children. Seventy-six overweight or obese children aged 9-16 years recruited from outpatient Ghaem Hospital, Nutritional Clinic, were randomized into two groups: a low calorie diet (n=38), a ketogenic diet (n=38). Both groups were treated for three months and followed up weekly. Fasting lipid profiles, blood sugar, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, , and weight were measured. Body fat percentages were measured using Bioimpedance Analysis (Tanita body composition analyzer, BC-418, Japan) for all subjects’ in each visit. Both ketogenic and low caloric diets reduced obesity indices including body fat percentage and improved lipid profiles (P<0.05). Changes in body weight and BMI did not differ significantly between two groups (P>0.05). However, low caloric diet had more potential beneficial effect on body fat percentage and lipid profile than ketogenic diet (P<0.05).Results showed ketogenic diet did not have any remarkable effect on weight loss versus low caloric diet and it seems that both diets had similar effect on weight loss in overweight and obese children. This study revealed the low caloric diet had more potential beneficial effect on body fat percentage and lipid profile than ketogenic diet.