The obesity epidemic has fostered increasing interest among many people to seek effective treatment strategies. Relatively few research studies have compared the effectiveness of various diets with different macronutrient composition, and even fewer studies have compared named or branded (trade-marked) weight loss programs using comparable, well-controlled assessment methods and outcome measures. There is significant interest among the public as well as health care professionals regarding the efficacy, safety, and long-term feasibility of adhering to these branded diets for the purposes of guiding decisions regarding the best choices.