Bitter Taste and Weight Loss in Women

Dislike of the diet is a common complaint in weight loss therapy that contributes to poor outcomes. Ironically, individual food preferences are rarely taken into account in designing weight-loss interventions. In the proposed research, we will utilize genetically-determined differences in food preferences, indexed by PROP bitter taste phenotype to develop a novel approach to weight loss therapy. The overall goal of this project is to determine if weight loss following a 6 month intervention can be substantially improved by matching participants with diets that reflect their genetically-determined food preferences. The study is designed as a randomized clinical weight-loss intervention trial in women in which PROP non-tasters and super-tasters. will be randomized to either the low-carbohydrate or the low-fat diet condition

Inclusion criteria

Body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 40 kg/m squared No weight loss for 3 months prior to the study Stable hypertension, dyslipemia or Type 2 diabetes - with permission from primary care provider Oral therapy to treat Type 2 diabetes - with permission from primary care provider.

Able to walk 2 block without stopping

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant during the trial History of cardiovascular disease (infarct, angina, arrhythmia or stroke) Recent chemotherapy or radiation therapy Liver, renal or thyroid disease Concurrent or recent (last 6 months) participation in any other weight loss intervention Insulin injection Medications to control appetite or weight Major psychiatric illnesses