Title

Intervention Study With Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Weight Loss and Insulin Resistance in Adolescents
The Impact of Using omega3 Long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Weight Loss and Insulin Resistance in Obese Adolescents
  • Phase

    N/A
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    366
The purpose of this study is to evaluate if a supplement containing omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for three months reduce obesity and insulin resistance to obese adolescents if administered together with a hypocaloric diet.
Background: In 2006, the prevalence of overweight and obesity combined in scholar and adolescents in Mexico was 26% and 31% respectively, which represents more than double of that reported in year 2000. Together with such increments in the obesity rates, it was observed similar increases in the incidence of other metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance (IR). In a very simplistic manner, it seems that the link between obesity and IR is a chronic inflammatory status because the adipose tissue-derived inflammatory molecules interfere with the uptake of fatty acids and glucose in peripheral tissues.

On the other hand, it is accepted that the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) omega-3 exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it has been also demonstrated the beneficial effect exerted by such fatty acids on insulin sensitivity, and in stabilizing the weight lost achieved with hypocaloric diets.

At present, the prevalence of overweight and obesity combined are in the range of 41-43% in the adolescent population that attend the four areas of influence of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Mexico City. Interventions addressed to improve the nutritional status of these groups of age are expected to impact the risk for IR and its associated co-morbidities.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of supplementation with LCPUFA omega-3, together with a dietary strategy, on obesity and insulin resistance in a sample of obese adolescents attended in the IMSS.

Methods: In a randomized clinical design, 300 obese individuals, 12-18 years old, will be selected. At selection, individuals will be randomly assigned to receive daily a capsule with 1.1 g LCPUFA omega-3 during three mo together with a hypocaloric diet which follows the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations (D+O3), or to receive daily a capsule with 1.0 g sunflower oil and a similar diet (P+D). After randomization, dietary information (24h-recall and FFQ), anthropometric measurements, and peripheral blood samples, will be obtained. Blood samples will be used to determine fasting plasma glucose and insulin, and erythrocytes fatty acid profile; such determinations will be repeated at three and six mo of follow-up. Anthropometry and 24 h-recalls will be repeated monthly.

For follow-up, studied subjects will be evaluated monthly to deliver capsules and to check for dietary adherence. Treatments will be administered during three months and the follow-up will continue throughout six months. At the end of the follow-up it is expect that the D+O3 group will present: a) higher decreases in mean weight and body mass index (BMI), b) greater decreases in the mean fasting insulin concentration, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, and IR frequency, c) longer duration of weight lost.

Statistical analyses: Student and paired-t test will be used for inter and intra group comparisons respectively. Logistic regression models and repeated measures analyses will be conducted to evaluate the effect of treatments, adjusting by diet and weight loss, as well as by confounders such as puberty and treatment adherence.

Infrastructure: The Unit of Research in Medical Nutrition owes the equipment needed to conduct the laboratory determinations proposed in this research, as well as the personnel qualified to conduct, monitor, analyze and evaluate data from field investigation, specially that related to obesity and IR.
Study Started
Jul 31
2012
Primary Completion
Dec 31
2015
Study Completion
Jan 31
2017
Results Posted
Jan 29
2020
Last Update
Jan 29
2020

Dietary Supplement Omega3 and an hypocaloric diet.

Thirty caps with the supplement will be provided every mo during three mo. Supplement will be administered as gel caps containing 1.1 g of DHA and EPA (®MaxEpa, Merck Laboratory) Hypocaloric diet will start at admission and will continue during the six months of follow-up. It will consist in providing a personalized diet including: a) reduction of 700 Kcal from the usual diet considering lipids and carbohydrates, b) increasing fruits and vegetables intake up to six portions daily each, and c) incrementing the intake of fiber to 30 g a day through the inclusion of whole grains.

  • Other names: DHA and EPA fatty acids, Docosahexaenoic fatty acid, Eicosapentaenoic fatty acid, ®MaxEpa, Merck Laboratory

Dietary Supplement Sunflower oil with an hypocaloric diet.

Thirty caps with the placebo will be provided every mo during three mo. Placebo will be administered as gel caps containing 1g of sunflower oil, which is omega-3 free, and is not expected to produce anti-inflammatory or insulin sensitivity effects. Hypocaloric diet will start at admission and will continue during the six months of follow-up. It will consist in providing a personalized diet including: a) reduction of 700 Kcal from the usual diet considering lipids and carbohydrates, b) increasing fruits and vegetables intake up to six portions daily each, and c) incrementing the intake of fiber to 30 g a day through the inclusion of whole grains.

  • Other names: Sunflower oil

omega 3 and an hypocaloric diet Experimental

Participants will receive a supplement containing omega 3: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA fatty acids together with an hypocaloric diet.

Placebo Placebo Comparator

Participants will receive a supplement containing sunflower oil with an hypocaloric diet.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Age between 12 and 18 years,
Male and female
Body mass Index (BMI) above the 95 percentile of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference
Informed consent form signed by both parents or legal guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

Those diagnosed as with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DMT2), Cardiovascular disease (CVD) or kidney disease
Those who are allergic to fish.

Summary

Omega 3 and an Hypocaloric Diet

Placebo

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term

Change in Insulin Resistance

Change from baseline in insulin resistance at three and six months. Changes in insulin resistance evaluated through Homeostasis Model Assessment Index (HOMA), calculated by formula: (glucose, mg * insulin,µU)/405. Where HOMA>3.16 indicated insulin resistance index.

Omega 3 and an Hypocaloric Diet

Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) at 3 mo

6.73
HOMA-IR Index (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.71

Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) at 6 mo

6.02
HOMA-IR Index (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.21

Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) at baseline

7.38
HOMA-IR Index (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.21

Placebo

Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) at 3 mo

6.28
HOMA-IR Index (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.53

Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) at 6 mo

5.41
HOMA-IR Index (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.21

Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) at baseline

6.89
HOMA-IR Index (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.55

Nutritional Status

Nutritional status was determined by registering body mass index (BMI) calculated by formula: kg/m^2.

Omega 3 and an Hypocaloric Diet

Body Mass Index at 3 months

30.89
kg/m^2 (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.97

Body Mass Index at 6 months

31.1
kg/m^2 (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.35

Body Mass Index at baseline

31.53
kg/m^2 (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.92

Placebo

Body Mass Index at 3 months

30.4
kg/m^2 (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.79

Body Mass Index at 6 months

30.25
kg/m^2 (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.95

Body Mass Index at baseline

31.16
kg/m^2 (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.79

Change in Insulin Resistance Through Fasting Insulin

Change from baseline in insulin resistance at three and six months. Changes in insulin resistance evaluated through fasting insulin (µU/mL)

Omega 3 and an Hypocaloric Diet

Fasting insulin at 3 mo

30.55
µU/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 15.52

Fasting insulin at 6 mo

29.4
µU/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 12.57

Fasting insulin at baseline

33.05
µU/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 16.50

Placebo

Fasting insulin at 3 mo

29.09
µU/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 15.10

Fasting insulin at 6 mo

27.23
µU/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 12.63

Fasting insulin at baseline

31.3
µU/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 15.05

Nutritional Status Through Waist Circumference

Nutritional status was determined by registering waist circumference in cm.

Omega 3 and an Hypocaloric Diet

Waist circumference at 3 months

98.83
cm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 12.33

Waist circumference at 6 months

96.99
cm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 11.68

Waist circumference at baseline

100.44
cm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 12.37

Placebo

Waist circumference at 3 months

97.66
cm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 9.61

Waist circumference at 6 months

97.11
cm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 10.10

Waist circumference at baseline

99.4
cm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 9.81

Total

245
Participants

Age, Continuous

13.66
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1.87

Race and Ethnicity Not Collected

0
Participants

Age, Categorical

Region of Enrollment

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Omega 3 and an Hypocaloric Diet

Placebo

Drop/Withdrawal Reasons

Omega 3 and an Hypocaloric Diet

Placebo