Five meals a day

Of the many diets that claim to have the answer to losing weight, a federal government study found that a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet is the best at keeping the weight off. Data from the weight control registry also shows that successful dieters often eat five meals a day.

Hill says the data isn't completely clear on this point. "I think it's more likely that by spreading them out over the day what you're avoiding doing is overeating in any given situation," he said. Other researchers are studying whether genetics may predispose some people to being overweight and where there are drugs that can be created to help them. Play video >>

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