For detailed information on diet therapy services offered by Avon Obesity Service, please contact us. Below gives an introduction to the principles of dieting.

The body needs energy in order to function and the energy is supplied from food. Calories are a measure of the energy contained in the food. Simply put, if someone takes in more calories than they expend, the excess calories will be stored (mostly as body fat). The goal of any diet is to expend more calories than are consumed - this will result in weight loss.

The rate at which a person loses weight can vary. Generally, the heavier the person, the quicker the weight loss. However, men lose weight more quickly than women of the same weight because they have more muscle mass which requires more energy and therefore burns more calories. Additionally, younger people generally lose weight more quickly than older people.

Anyone contemplating a diet needs to select a calorie level, as well as foods to meet this goal. It is best to choose foods that contain adequate protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and vitamins. Alcohol, sugary beverages and most sweets should be removed from weight loss diets as they rarely contain adequate amounts of micronutrients. Diets that range from 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day are suitable for most people, though men should aim for a daily calorie intake towards the higher end of this range, women the lower end.