International society of sports nutrition position stand: diets and body composition

Abstract

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) bases the following position stand on a critical analysis of the literature regarding the effects of diet types (macronutrient composition; eating styles) and their influence on body composition. The ISSN has concluded the following. 1) There is a multitude of diet types and eating styles, whereby numerous subtypes fall under each major dietary archetype. 2) All body composition assessment methods have strengths and limitations. 3) Diets primarily focused on fat loss are driven by a sustained caloric deficit. The higher the baseline body fat level, the more aggressively the caloric deficit may be imposed. Slower rates of weight loss can better preserve lean mass (LM) in leaner subjects. 4) Diets focused primarily on accruing LM are driven by a sustained caloric surplus to facilitate anabolic processes and support increasing resistance-training demands. The composition and magnitude of the surplus, as well as training status of the subjects can influence the nature of the gains. 5) A wide range of dietary approaches (low-fat to low-carbohydrate/ketogenic, and all points between) can be similarly effective for improving body composition. 6) Increasing dietary protein to levels significantly beyond current recommendations for athletic populations may result in improved body composition. Higher protein intakes (2.3–3.1 g/kg FFM) may be required to maximize muscle retention in lean, resistance-trained subjects under hypocaloric conditions. Emerging research on very high protein intakes (>3 g/kg) has demonstrated that the known thermic, satiating, and LM-preserving effects of dietary protein might be amplified in resistance-training subjects. 7) The collective body of intermittent caloric restriction research demonstrates no significant advantage over daily caloric restriction for improving body composition. 8) The long-term success of a diet depends upon compliance and suppression or circumvention of mitigating factors such as adaptive thermogenesis. 9) There is a paucity of research on women and older populations, as well as a wide range of untapped permutations of feeding frequency and macronutrient distribution at various energetic balances combined with training. Behavioral and lifestyle modification strategies are still poorly researched areas of weight management.

Keywords:

• Hypocaloric Conditions
• Body Composition Assessment Methods
• Resistance-trained Subjects
• High Protein Intake
• Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT)

Acknowledgements

AAA would like to thank his wife and children for enduring the lengthy process of writing this position stand. He would also like to thank his co-authors for providing the constructive criticism and direction resulting in an immeasurably improved manuscript. JA would like to thank Anya Ellerbroek and Sérgio Fontinhas for lending an extra pair of eyes in proofreading the manuscript.

Funding

This Position Paper was not funded.

Availability of data and materials

Not applicable.

Authors’ contributions

AAA was responsible for drafting the manuscript and incorporating revisions suggested by his co-authors. All co-authors were equally responsible for reviewing, editing, and providing feedback for submission of the final draft. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Competing interests

ASR has received funding for research from several dietary supplement companies.

BC writes and is compensated for various media outlets on topics related to sports nutrition and fitness; has received funding for research related to dietary supplements; serves on an advisory board for sports nutrition companies and is compensated for these activities.

CPE is a research scientist at Texas A&M University and Director of Clinical Science at Nutrabolt, a dietary supplement company. CPE also holds paid consulting relationships with Naturally Slim (Dallas, TX) and Catapult Health (Dallas, TX).

CW is a sponsored athlete by True Grit Nutrition and does funded supplement/nutrition research from dozens of privately owned companies.

DK works for a Contract Research Organization (QPS). QPS has received funding from food, beverage and supplement companies.

JA is the co-founder and CEO of the ISSN. The ISSN is supported in part by grants from raw good suppliers and branded sports nutrition companies.

JRS has received funding to conduct studies from Natural Alternatives Inc., Kemin, Metabolic Technologies and Abbott Nutrition in the past 6 years.

PJA serves on the American Heart Association Advisory Board (Capital Region); serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards for Dymatize Nutrition and Isagenix International LLC; serves as a paid consultant to Isagenix International LLC; Founder and CEO of PRISE LLC a health and wellness consultant company that owns the GenioFit App.

RW is the Chief Science Officer for Post Active Nutrition.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This paper was reviewed by the International Society of Sports Nutrition Research Committee and represents the official position of the Society.

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