(K. gahagan) wrote in message . com...
Dear Sir and Madam:

I am a college student at the University of Northern Iowa, and I am
very interested in fad dieting and low-carb dieting and conducting a
research on the topic. I would appreciate it if you could provide
your insights regarding the following research questions. Your
responses to these questions will remain confidential and your
identity will remain anonymous in the research. Also, if you wish to
receive a copy of this research report, please indicate so in the last
question, and you will receive a copy when the research is completed.
Please send your response to my e-mail address at by
Friday, November 26, 2004. If you have any questions about this
research, please feel free to contact my research advisor Dr. Sarina
Chen at . Thank you.


Sincerely,

K. Gahagan
Dept. of Communication Studies
University of Northern Iowa

Sarina Chen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dept. of Communication Studies
University of Northern Iowa

1. Do you know what a fad diet is?

Yes. Low carbing has been around since the mid 1800's. It is here to
stay. It is not a fad diet.

2. In your opinion, do you think fad dieting is a healthy way to lose
weight?

No.

3. Have you tried more than one fad diet to lose weight?

No.

4. Have you personally or someone you know lost weight on a particular
fad diet?

Yes.

5. If so, have you maintained your weight and for how long?

Not on a fad diet. Low carbing, yes. 20 lbs for 4 years. My wife, 35
lbs for 4 years.

6. Which diet do you believe to be the most realistic?

Low carb.

7. Which diet do you believe to be the healthiest?

Low carb.

8. Which diet do you believe to be the most unrealistic?

Low-fat/high-carb.

9. Which diet do you believe to be the unhealthiest?

Low-fat/high-carb.

10. Do you think exercise plays an important role in weight loss?

Yes. But not by attempting to "burn fat" by the length of time and
intensity of ther exercise, (that is a fallacy), but by increasing
muscle mass which increases the bodies ability to efficiently
metabolize excess carbs.

11. What is your opinion of the Atkins Diet?

Good. Should have more precise quantification of amounts of
macro-nutrients that should be eaten. Otherwise it is bang on. I
prefer the Zone by Sears, it is very precise about amounts of the
macro-nutrients.

12. When not dieting, do you make a conscious effort to follow the
limitations for the Food Guide Pyramid?

Not any more. The Food Guide Pyramid is a wish list for the
agricultural and food industries.

13. Overall, do you think any kind of dieting is a good way to lose
weight?

If restricting garbage carbohydrates and trans fats is dieting, then
yes.

I consider my diet a way to eat, and not a diet as in "I'm going on a
diet" diet. It is very healthy.

Dieting by restricting overall amounts eaten, ie. starvation diets,
like low-fat/low-calorie diets are dangerous, especially if done long
term. t deplets you of important vitamins, especially the fat soluble
ones.

14. Do you wish to receive a copy of this report?

Sure.

TC