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Diets differing in carbohydrate cellularity and amount similarly reduced visceral fat in people with obesity - a randomized controlled trial (CARBFUNC)

Cathrine Horn Sommersten, J. Laupsa-Borge, A. O. Andersen, K. Fasmer, Mari-Anna Holmefjord, Ingrid Revheim, K. K. Johannessen, Nicole T. Næsheim et al.

Clinical Nutrition, 2022

193 participants · 8 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume is associated with common lifestyle diseases. Dietary quality, including food matrix and degree of carbohydrate cellularity, as well as the carbohydrate/fat ratio, may influence VAT volume. We aimed to determine the effects of isocaloric diets differing in either "cellularity", a novel marker of dietary carbohydrate quality, or carbohydrate amount on visceral fat volume and anthropometric measures in adults with obesity.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial of 193 people with obesity/central adiposity, we compared changes in VAT volume after 6 and 12 months, measured by abdominal computed tomography, on three isocaloric eating patterns based on "acellular" carbohydrate sources (e.g., flour-based whole-grain products; comparator arm), "cellular" carbohydrate sources (minimally processed foods with intact cellular structures such as fruits, potatoes/tubers, and rice), or low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) principles. Outcomes were compared by an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis using constrained linear mixed-effects modelling (cLMM) providing baseline-adjusted change scores and proper missing data handling without imputation.

RESULTS

78 and 57 participants completed 6 and 12 months, respectively, with similar intakes of energy (females: 1820-2060 kcal, males: 2480-2550 kcal) and protein (16-17 energy percent, E%) throughout the intervention, and only modest reductions in energy from baseline. Reported dietary intakes…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 193 participants or records.

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