International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: diets for body weight reduction

The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on diets for body weight reduction. This critical analysis of the literature is intended to provide a scientific foundation for practitioners, coaches, and trainees regarding the effects of the major diet types in adults who are generally healthy, physically active, and/or athletic, while drawing from clinical research in those with overweight/obesity, when relevant. This position stand does not address acute dehydration-based weight cutting, pharmacotherapy (i.e. GLP-1RAs), or bariatric surgery. The following 15 points constitute the Position Statement of the Society; the Research Committee has approved them. 1) Diets for body weight reduction can be broadly categorized by the magnitude of the energy deficit, linearity of the deficit, and macronutrient composition. These factors need to be tailored to individual preferences, tolerances, and goals.2) Very-low-energy diets (