• Intervention
    Is the therapeutic use of a vegetarian diet effective for bringing about short-term (less than one year) improvements in weight status in obese and overweight adults?
    • Conclusion

      The therapeutic use of a vegetarian diet is an effective way to bring about short-term improvements in weight status in adults, as part of a multi-component weight management program.

    • Grade: I
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    Is the therapeutic use of a vegetarian dietary pattern effective for bringing about longer-term (more than one year) improvements in weight status in obese and overweight adults?
    • Conclusion

      The therapeutic use of a vegetarian diet as part of a multi-component weight-management program is an effective way to bring about longer-term (more than one year) improvements in weight status among adults who are compliant.

    • Grade: I
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    How do vegetarian diets compare to other therapeutic diets for treating overweight or obese adults?
    • Conclusion

      Compared to omnivorous diets that could be used to treat obesity, findings are mixed as to whether therapeutic vegetarian diets are more or less effective for improving weight status in adults.

    • Grade: III
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.