Final answer:
The ACSM, supported by the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, advises a balanced diet coupled with regular physical activity for weight management, and discourages unsustainable and nutritionally inadequate fad diets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) along with the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adopting a balanced approach to weight management that includes a focus on caloric intake in context with physical activity levels. They discourage fad dieting which often promotes rapid weight loss without consideration for nutritional adequacy or long-term sustainability.
The recommendations emphasize consuming a variety of nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy while limiting saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. Additionally, they offer evidence-based physical activity recommendations stating that adults should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 to 150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activities along with muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week.
Fad diets, often recognized by their promise of quick weight loss and specific food exclusions, are not endorsed by the ACSM as they typically lead to temporary weight loss, potential nutrient deficiencies, and are not sustainable long-term eating plans.