London, December 31: Despite the general belief, the percentage of calories gained by eating fat, as opposed to protein or carbohydrates, does not influence the weight gain process.
Dietitians generally recommend individuals to confine their fat intake to 20 to 35 percent of the total daily calories, urging them to substitute saturated and trans-fats by eating fish, nuts and vegetable oils as they contain healthy fats.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, there is no significant relation between fat intake and the amount of weight gained over time.
The study found the intake of polyunsaturated fats versus saturated fats was also not linked to any considerable changes in weight.
“It is more important to aim for a healthy lifestyle including a balanced healthy diet and regular physical activity, than to focus on fat intake alone as a factor for weight gain,” concluded lead researcher Nita Forouhi.
Despite these findings, scientists stressed that individuals should limit the use of foods high in saturated or trans-fats, adding that such diets place them at a greater risk of various health conditions.
“The healthiest way to avoid weight gain is to make sure that, when appropriate, total calorie intake is limited by reducing one’s intake of added sugars, fats, and alcohol, which all provide calories but few or no essential nutrients, to watch portion sizes of food (so food portions consumed do not increase in size over time), and at the same time take regular physical activity,” Forouhi added.
–Agencies