A comparative study of two diets in the treatment of primary exogenous obesity in children.

One hundred four children, six to fourteen years of age, with primary exogenous obesity were randomly distributed in order to be subjected to two different diets, ketogenic (low carbohydrate) and hypocaloric, for eight weeks. Body weight, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, a glucose tolerance test, blood glucose and plasma insulin determination were performed before and after both diets. The results revealed significant differences in body weight and triglyceride concentrations with the two diets although they were more remarkable with the ketogenic diet. There were significant differences in the fasting insulin levels, insulinogenic index, and insulin concentration after a glucose tolerance test in the patients subjected to a ketogenic diet.