RT Journal A1 Patterson RE, Kristal AR, Peters JC, et al T1 CHanges in diet, weight, and serum lipid levels associated with olestra consumption JF Archives of Internal Medicine JO Archives of Internal Medicine YR 2000 FD September 25 VO 160 IS 17 SP 2600 OP 2604 DO 10.1001/archinte.160.17.2600 UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.160.17.2600 AB Background  Specially manufactured low-fat and nonfat foods have become increasingly available over the past 2 decades and controversy has surrounded the issue of whether these products have beneficial or adverse effects on the health and nutritional status of Americans.Methods  This study examines the association of olestra consumption with changes in dietary intakes of energy, fat, and cholesterol and changes in weight and serum lipid concentrations. Data are from a cohort of 335 participants in the Olestra Post-Marketing Surveillance Study sentinel site in Marion County (Indianapolis, Ind). Diet, weight, and serum lipid levels were assessed before the market release of olestra and 1 year later, after olestra-containing foods were widely available. Olestra intake at the 1-year follow-up was categorized as none, low (>0 to 0.4 g/d), moderate (0.4 to 2.0 g/d), and heavy (>2.0 g/d).Results  Participants in the heavy olestra consumption category significantly reduced dietary intake of percentage of energy from fat (2.7 percentage points, P for trend, .003) and saturated fat (1.1 percentage points, P for trend, .02). Consumers in the highest category of olestra consumption had statistically significantly reduced total serum cholesterol levels of –0.54 mmol/L (−21 mg/dL)compared with –0.14 mmol/L (−5 mg/dL) among olestra nonconsumers (P for trend, .03).Conclusions  These results indicate that introduction of a new fat substitute (olestra) in the US market was associated with healthful changes in dietary fat intake and serum cholesterol concentrations among consumers who chose to consume olestra-containing foods.