Optimal dietary macronutrient distribution in China (ODMDC): a randomised controlled-feeding trial protocol

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Public Health
• Cardiology

Background:

• Observational studies in China link increased dietary fat to obesity.
• Some cohort studies identify carbohydrate intake, particularly white rice, as a risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease in China.
• Contemporary Chinese populations exhibit increasing rates of obesity and related cardiometabolic disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effectiveness of traditional Chinese (lower-fat, higher-carbohydrate) versus Western (higher-fat, lower-carbohydrate) dietary patterns for weight control.
• To assess the impact of these dietary patterns on cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese adults.
• To inform nutrition policy regarding optimal dietary strategies for weight management in China.

Main Methods:

• The Optimal Dietary Macronutrient Distribution in China (ODMDC) trial is a 6-month, multi-centre, controlled feeding study.
• Three isoenergetic diets with varying fat and carbohydrate content (20/66/14%, 30/56/14%, 40/46/14% energy from fat/carbohydrate/protein) were formulated.
• Participants (n=300 healthy non-obese adults aged 18-35) received all food and most beverages for the study duration.

Main Results:

• The primary outcome measure is body weight change.
• Secondary outcome measures include changes in waist circumference and cardiometabolic risk factors.
• Results will elucidate the impact of different macronutrient distributions on body weight and metabolic health.

Conclusions:

• The ODMDC trial provides crucial data on the efficacy of different dietary patterns for weight control in a Chinese population.
• Findings will have significant implications for public health nutrition policy in China.
• The study addresses the growing concern of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in the context of evolving dietary habits.