Researchers thought that people will lose more weight if they choose their diet plan in comparison to those whose diet plans are chosen by instructors.

But they were stunned to know that opposite turned out to be true. Study researchers said that it is better if people follow an assigned diet plan.

The research carried out for 48 weeks unveiled that people who chose their own diet lost around 12.5 pounds. On the other hand, those who followed an assigned diet lost around 12.5 pounds. The research conducted at the Durham VA Medical Center in North Carolina surveyed 207 obese adults.

Questionnaire listed 70-plus food items on a scale of 'like extremely' or dislike extremely'. From this, the researchers were able to know whether participants preferred low carb or low fat diets. In the second step, the participants were divided into two groups, choice and comparison.

The choice group could choose between a low carb and low fat diet. In the case of comparison group, participants were assigned one diet or the second one. Choice group volunteers were even given option to change their diet after 12 weeks.

Study's lead researcher Dr. William Yancy said, "We were surprised that people in the choice groups didn't lose more weight. The presumption was that giving them the choice would help them stick to the diet better, therefore they'd lose more weight". Doctors and nutritionists should offer their patients when it comes to options in diets.