YOUNGSTOWN Despite report on high-fat diet, Heart Association keeps its guide

Questions started coming in to the local Heart Association office the day after the study was publicized.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Local and national American Heart Association leaders say that media reports about a small study funded by the Robert C. Atkins Foundation may have created the erroneous impression that the AHA has revised its dietary guidelines.
This is not the case, said Elaine Welsh, communications director for the local heart association office, who said she received calls Tuesday about the Atkins report, which was presented Monday.
The national AHA said the Atkins study was one of more than 3,600 abstracts presented at AHA's annual Scientific Sessions, a forum for scientists and physicians for the presentation of research pertaining to heart disease and strokes.
However, Welsh said, the scientific abstracts do not necessarily represent official positions or statements of AHA.
Recommendations
AHA has dietary guidelines, rather than a rigid diet, that emphasize a healthy dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish and poultry, as well as low-fat dairy products, said Dr. Robert O. Bonow, president of the AHA.
AHA's concerns with the Atkins study include: It is small, with only 120 total participants and just 60 on the high-fat, low carbohydrate diet; it is short-term, following participants for just 6 months; and it provides no evidence that weight loss could be maintained long term, or that the diet is effective long term in improving health. Also, AHA officials are concerned that a high intake of saturated fats over time would increase cardiovascular risk.
The bottom line is that the AHA said people who want to lose weight and keep it off need to make lifestyle changes for the long term. That means regular exercise and a balanced diet, Welsh said.
alcorn@vindy.com