Full-fat Dairy Products for Obesity

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Marisa Soo, MSc. (C)

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Toronto

Must not be taking: Blood glucose drugs

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Liver, Kidney, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 12 weeks

93 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot take any drugs or supplements that affect blood glucose or could impact the study's results.

What data supports the effectiveness of full-fat dairy products and restrictive eating as a treatment for obesity?

Research suggests that higher dairy consumption, including full-fat varieties, may be linked to reduced obesity rates and can help with weight loss and maintaining lean tissue during calorie restriction. However, the evidence is not entirely consistent, and more studies are needed to confirm these findings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is it safe to consume full-fat dairy products for obesity treatment?

Research suggests that full-fat dairy products may have a neutral or even beneficial effect on heart health and diabetes risk, and they are generally considered safe for consumption. However, the impact on weight and obesity is inconsistent, with some studies showing protective effects and others showing no effect or increased risk, especially in children. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How does the treatment of full-fat dairy products for obesity differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it involves consuming full-fat dairy products, which some studies suggest may be inversely associated with obesity, unlike the common approach of recommending reduced-fat dairy for weight loss. The focus on full-fat dairy is novel as it challenges the traditional belief that lower-fat options are always better for managing weight. ^{1 3 4 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The proposed study looks at the effect of long-term diet modification with or without full-fat dairy products or restrictive eating on body weight, body composition and cardiometabolic markers in healthy overweight/obese men and women.

Research Team

G. Harvey Anderson, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Toronto

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy overweight/obese adults with a BMI between 27 and 34.9, normal fasting glucose levels, and low dairy consumption. Participants should maintain their usual diet and activity level but avoid alcohol before test visits. Exclusions include irregular menstrual cycles, certain metabolic disorders, extreme diets, substance use, recent significant weight changes or history of childhood obesity.

Inclusion Criteria

Your body mass index (BMI) is between 27 and 34.9.

Fasting serum glucose: ≤ 7 mmol/L

Willing to avoid vigorous physical activity for 24 h prior to all test visits.

Exclusion Criteria

Irregular menstrual cycles (i.e. frequent missed cycles), menopausal or post- menopausal

People who have a history of trying to limit their food intake in an unhealthy way.

Fasting blood glucose > 7 mmol/L

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants follow a diet modification with or without full-fat dairy products or restrictive eating for 12 weeks

12 weeks

8 sessions biweekly

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

1 session

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Full-fat Dairy Products
• Restrictive Eating

Trial Overview The study examines the impact of long-term dietary changes on body weight and health markers in overweight individuals. It compares effects of including full-fat dairy products versus restrictive eating without these products on satiety, body composition, and blood sugar control.

Participant Groups

Group I: Low Dairy Energy Restrictive Diet Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Low-dairy (\<1 serving/day) and 500kcal/deficit per day energy restrictive diet

Group II: 3 Servings of Full-Fat Dairy with Energy Restrictive diet Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Energy-restrictive diet (500 kcal/deficit per day) with 3 servings of full-fat dairy products from full-fat milk, and assorted yogurts and cheeses

Group III: 3 Servings of Full-Fat Dairy but no energy restriction Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Normal diet (no energy restriction) with 3 servings of full-fat dairy products from full-fat milk, and assorted yogurts and cheeses

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

739

Recruited

1,125,000+

Mount Saint Vincent University

Collaborator

Trials

23

Recruited

2,300+

Findings from Research

In a study of 46 very obese individuals (11 inpatients and 35 outpatients), it was found that their caloric intake was directly related to their level of obesity, with both groups consuming high-calorie density foods and engaging in occasional binge eating.

By replacing high-calorie density foods with lower-calorie options, participants could potentially reduce their caloric intake by 20%, which could significantly aid in weight loss efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food intake of very obese persons: quantitative and qualitative aspects. Strain, GW., Hershcopf, RJ., Zumoff, B.[2007]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary consequences of recommending reduced-fat dairy products in the weight-loss context: a secondary analysis with practical implications for registered dietitians. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Associations between dairy consumption and body weight: a review of the evidence and underlying mechanisms. [2014]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dairy consumption and overweight and obesity: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies. [2018]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whole-fat dairy food intake is inversely associated with obesity prevalence: findings from the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg study. [2015]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food intake of very obese persons: quantitative and qualitative aspects. [2007]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potential Cardiometabolic Health Benefits of Full-Fat Dairy: The Evidence Base. [2023]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The relationship between high-fat dairy consumption and obesity, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dairy consumption in association with weight change and risk of becoming overweight or obese in middle-aged and older women: a prospective cohort study. [2023]