Diet Bake-Off

[an error occurred while processing this directive] There aren't many head-to-head studies of brand-name diet regimens, and now we know why. When scientists assigned 160 overweight or obese adults to one of four diets — Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers or Zone — the results were hardly dramatic.

After a year of dieting, the average weight loss for women was about 2.25 kg and for men about 3 kg — and it didn't matter much which diet they were on. Perhaps the most significant finding was how many test subjects dropped out: half of the Atkins and Ornish groups, a third of Weight Watchers and Zone.

The best bet, say the researchers, is to pick a diet with food choices you can live with.