§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to review the promotion by the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency of high carbohydrate intakes, in view of the continuing problem of obesity; and[HL401]
Whether the Health Development Agency and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will be asked to review the effectiveness of very low carbohydrate diets in reducing overweight and obesity.[HL404]
§ Lord WarnerThe Government take an evidence-based approach on nutrition and health, based on the wealth of scientific evidence rather than individual studies. We take our advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, and bodies such as the Health Development Agency and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
The Health Development Agency will be able to advise on the effectiveness of low carbohydrate diets for obesity prevention and management when evidence is available. The HDA has recently published an evidence briefing on The management of obesity and overweight: an analysis of reviews of diet, physical activity and behavioural approaches The HDA did not identify any reviews which assessed the effectiveness of low carbohydrate diets for obesity prevention and management.
22WAThe Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition may re-consider current recommendations on the proportion of dietary fat and carbohydrate, as part of its long-term work plan, if it feels that the evidence base has substantially changed.