PITTSBURGH -- More than 44 million Americans are obese; nearly 12 million people are on the Atkins diet.

In a claim supported by recent medical studies, the popular low-carbohydrate program boasts permanent weight loss and good health.

Channel 11's Newlin Archinal is tracking the progress of two local people putting the Atkins diet to the test.

Some sautéed shrimp, some turkey, some salami, cheese with the whole pepper in it, a little bit of Gouda and salad with olives and some blue cheese. How can you lose weight eating this way?

Mark Snyder said, "I don't know. But, it works!"

The hair stylist is living proof. He's been on the Atkins diet for almost a year. The results are remarkable.

He lost 140 pounds and lowered his cholesterol and triglycerides dramatically. Snyder tried other diets but they left him hungry.

"It's hard to lose weight when you love food. And, I adore it," Snyder said.

Kathy Bartolomeo said, "On this diet I can have Jell-O with whipped cream."

Bartolomeo is new to the Atkins diet. She's lost 18 pounds since February and her blood pressure has dropped from 144 over 90 to 130 over 80.

Her physician, Dr. Michael Wald, is pleased.
"I'm seeing progress and that's exciting," Wald said. "She has lost a substantial amount of weight in a relatively short period of time."

Bartolomeo and her doctor are hoping the results of this cholesterol test bring equally promising results.

The Atkins approach to weight loss focuses on controlling the intake of carbohydrates instead of fat. The goal is to make sure dieters don't feel hungry all the time.

"I don't feel like I'm dieting. There are a lot of things you can snack on that are good for you that maintain your low carbohydrate count and you're still staying on the diet, but you're feeling full," Bartolomeo said.

The diet has become so popular, Tambellini's Restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh offers a low-carb lunch buffet every Wednesday.

But, the Atkins diet is not without its critics.
Madelyn Fernstrom said, "Having a strict Atkins diet will not provide nutritional adequacy, can put you at risk for cardiac problems because of severe water loss and mineral imbalances that affect cardiac function. And, these are huge negatives."

That won't dissuade Snyder and Bartolomeo after the results they're seeing.

"I started out in a 56 waist. I'm at a 40. And, I want to go back to a 36," Snyder said.

"I have 20 more pounds to lose," Bartolomeo said.

Channel 11 News will continue to track Snyder's and Bartolomeo's progress with their weight and cholesterol levels and bring you up to date in a couple of weeks.

Another recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows people lose weight on low-carb diets because they eat fewer calories, not because there's anything special about restricting carbohydrates.