Introduction:

1. The Effects of the Atkins Diet on Weight.Jason CombsBiology/Pre-Pharmacy Undergraduate StudentTennessee Tech UniversityTTU Box 7005, Cookeville, TN 38505 Introduction: There are a large number of fad diets that have appeared in our bookstore shelves, and on television advertisements. “The Atkins diet is by far one of, if not the most popular fad diets ever invented. With more than six million copies sold, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution is still making history with a controversial way of dieting (Leonard 2004).” “The Atkins Diet involves eating foods which are high in protein, while limiting foods which are high in carbohydrates (Leonard 2004).” A few of the diet plans listed included: The South Beach Diet, The Ultimate Weight Solution, and Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution. My experiment is going to be based on Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution and the effects it has on weight loss. In this experiment, there will be two groups, one the control which will be on there normal every day diet, while the experimental group will be on the Atkins Diet, which is low carbohydrate, high protein. During this experiment, the weight of the subjects will be record weekly and then analyzed at the end of the experiment. The objective of this experiment is to determine if the low carbohydrate, high protein diets have an influence on the subjects weight loss. There should be a difference between the two groups, with the experimental group, according to the fad diets, loosing more weight than the control group. • Objective Statement: • To determine if the low carbohydrate, high protein diet has an influence on weight loss. • Hypothesis: • A high protein, low carbohydrate diet will weight loss. • Null Hypothesis: • A high protein, low carbohydrate diet will not effect weight loss. • Materials: • 4 test subjects • High protein foods • Low carbohydrate foods • Floor scale • Weight loss chart • Methods • Subjects are separated into 2 pairs. • There is 1 control group, consisting of 2 subjects and 1 experimental group, consisting of 2 subjects. • The subjects weight is taken using the floor scale. • Each subject will be weighed weekly on the same day. At the end of the experiment each subject will have their average weight and amount lost or gained calculated. Conclusions: In conclusion, the research provided information about the validity of fad diets. Fad diets are an affective way to lose weight. The low-carbohydrate, high protein diet did stand up to the claims of it’s supporters.