Body Weight Loss Efficiency in Overweight and Obese Adults in the Ketogenic Reduction Diet Program—Case Study

Abstract

Obesity stands out as an ongoing pandemic today, and it is crucial to recognize the basic factors that influence it in the observed group and to intervene through lifestyle changes. Therefore, in this work, the k ketogenic diet (E = 6280 ± 210 kJ) was used in a weight loss program for two regionally different groups (including 200 participants) from southeastern European countries (Republic of North Macedonia (n = 100) and Kosovo (n = 100)). The applied data analysis revealed similarities and differences in (ii) the consumption of certain food groups (e.g., 0.5–1 kg Nuts/week; in region 1 is consumed by 11.3% of participants while in region 2 by 37.8%, respectively) and (ii) anthropometric indicators of excess body mass (body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio). Nutritional intervention with a ketogenic diet also reduces the intake of sweet and salty snacks that are rich in carbohydrates. The average expected time to reach the target body mass was 112 days, and the results of the progress of all participants were presented after 120 days. The results show regional differences, especially in women; in group 1, 73.91% achieved a body mass index in the healthy range (<25 kg/m2), while in group 2, the success rate was 81.69%. Understanding the different eating habits in the mentioned regions is key here, and it was shown that in region 2, over 40% of the participants consume 500–1000 g of seeds per week. The above indicates that the results of this study and regional differences can be considered when designing strategies and intervention programs in the lifestyle of overweight and obese people in similar environments. The study also shows that the ketogenic diet is one of the useful dietary intervention approaches used to change eating habits that will show results relatively quickly.