Abstract

HARCOMBE, Z  and  NOAKES, T. The universities of Stellenbosch/Cape Town low-carbohydrate diet review: Mistake or mischief?. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2016, vol.106, n.12, pp.1179-1182. ISSN 2078-5135.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2016.V106I12.12072.

A 2014 meta-analysis from the universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town reported that diets with a lower-carbohydrate (CHO) content are no more effective for producing weight loss than are high-CHO diets, so-called isoenergetic 'balanced' diets. We have re-examined the article and found numerous errors, many material in nature. Studies were included that failed the authors' own inclusion criteria; invalid and subjective meta-analysis sub-grouping was used; and data extraction was repeatedly inaccurate. All but one error favoured the balanced diet. The article was widely publicised, highly impactful and inaccurate. This begs the question: mistake or mischief?

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