Publication Date
4-16-2014
School
School of Health Sciences
Major
Kinesiology: Health and Physical Education--Teacher Certification
Keywords
Weight Watchers, Atkins, diet, weight loss, calorie restriction, food group restriction
Disciplines
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition | Other Public Health
Recommended Citation
Brown, Heather, "An Analysis of the Weight Watchers and Atkins Diets: The Effects of Calorie Restriction and Nutrition Levels" (2014). Senior Honors Theses. 441.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/441
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a calorie-restricted diet versus one with restricted food groups. To accomplish this, a survey with 19 participants, age ranging from 25 to 74 years, was taken for people who attempted Weight Watchers, a calorie-restricted diet, and Atkins, a low-carbohydrate diet. The success rates of each of these diets will be compared and analyzed in this study. Participants reported short-term and long-term weight loss results. For the data analysis, descriptive statistics and two independent t-tests were performed. For short-term weight loss on Atkins, M = 20.25, and on Weight Watchers, M = 44.33. With net weight loss, Atkins averaged 11.25 pounds and Weight Watchers group averaged 44.33 pounds. Although the independent t-tests did not show a significant difference, research suggests that calorie restriction is more effective for long-term maintenance.
