The weight loss industry makes big bucks in a losing proposition – losing weight that is.

There are thousands of diets purporting to be the best plan for shedding the pounds, but do they work?

Interestingly, U.S. News and World Report assembled an independent panel of 22 recognized experts in heart disease, diabetes, diet and exercise to review 20 diets.

The categories for this report were Best Diets Overall, Best Commercial Diet Plans, Best Weight-Loss Diets, Best Diabetes Diets and Best Heart-Healthy Diets. There was a method to the madness and a rating scale measuring effectiveness, ease of compliance, nutritional completeness and health risks on a five point scale.

Most people want a quick fix, but let’s face it; those extra pounds didn’t appear over night. A key component of healthy weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is exercise or physical activity. This was not included in the review, nor was cost (of food or classes).

Many of the winners and “losers” come as no surprise to this diet and nutrition expert. The findings of this report confirm what health experts have known to be true – and hopefully the results will convince millions of people to stop using ineffective and dangerous diet plans for weight loss.