Could the quality of dietary fat, and not just its quantity, be related to risk of obesity?

This review focuses on the possible association between types of fatty acids and weight change. It examines the biological plausibility underlining these associations and the evidence obtained to date from clinical trials and epidemiological studies. Animal studies have shown that dietary short- and medium-chain fatty acids compared to long-chain fatty acids appear to promote weight loss.

Is obesity related to the type of dietary fatty acids? An ecological study.

Background: Animal studies and a few clinical trials lend credibility to the hypothesis that not all types of fatty acids carry the same potential for weight gain. Only a few epidemiological studies concerning this issue are currently available and results are conflicting.

Aim: The purpose of the present ecological study was to test the existence of an association between obesity prevalence and the types of fat available in 168 countries.