Fast track to health — Intermittent energy restriction in adolescents with obesity. A randomised controlled trial study protocol

This study aims to determine if IER results in lower body mass index (BMI) z-score after 52 weeks in metabolically unhealthy adolescents with obesity compared with continuous energy restriction (CER).Methods/designThis is a prospective, randomised, multi-centre trial conducted in tertiary care settings, with three phases: jumpstart (weeks 0–4); intensive intervention (weeks 5–16); continued intervention and/or maintenance (weeks 17–52). During the jumpstart phase, all participants follow a very low energy diet (∼800 kcal/3350 kJ/day), then transition to their allocated intervention: IER or CER. IER involves three energy-restricted days/week, consuming one-third of daily energy requirements (∼600−700 kcal/2500−2950 kJ/day), and four days/week of a healthy meal plan. The CER, which is current standard care, has individually tailored energy prescription based on age and sex (13–14 years, 1430−1670 kcal/6000−7000 kJ/day; 15–17 years, 1670−1900 kcal/7000−8000 kJ/day). The study will recruit 186 (93 per arm) treatment-seeking adolescents aged 13–17 years with obesity and at least one metabolic co-morbidity. The primary outcome is change in BMI z-score at 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes are changes at 4, 16 and 52 weeks in: body composition; diet quality, food choices and food patterns; cardio-metabolic risk factors; physical activity and sedentary behaviour; sleep and psycho-behavioural measures.Discuss...
Source: Obesity Research and Clinical Practice - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research