Dietary fat alone does not cause weight gain, according to a European study of 90,000 people with an average age of 53, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
After analyzing the annual weight change and fat intake of all the participants, researchers were unable to establish a clear link between fat intake and weight gain.
In fact, during the study, fat (saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) represented 34 percent of daily energy intake. In one year, the average weight gain was between 100 and 800 grams (3.5 ounces to 1.76 pounds).
Surprisingly, after taking into account other dietary components and lifestyle, researchers were unable to show a link between fat intake and annual changes in weight.
Researchers also found that when their diet is unrestricted, overweight people who adopt a low-fat diet can achieve loss of weight and fat. However, in diets with the same number of calories, a diet high in fat actually leads to greater weight loss than a low-fat diet.
The scientists theorized that fat adds flavor to food, making the diet less unpleasant, increasing satiety, and making it possible to limit food consumption.