A double-blinded, randomized, parallel intervention to evaluate biomarker-based nutrition plans for weight loss: The PREVENTOMICS study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Growing evidence suggests that biomarker-guided dietary interventions can optimize response to treatment. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the PREVENTOMCIS platform-which uses metabolomic and genetic information to classify individuals into different 'metabolic clusters' and create personalized dietary plans-for improving health outcomes in subjects with overweight or obesity.

METHODS

A 10-week parallel, double-blinded, randomized intervention was conducted in 100 adults (82 completers) aged 18-65 years, with body mass index ≥27 but <40 kg/m², who were allocated into either a personalized diet group (n = 49) or a control diet group (n = 51). About 60% of all food was provided free-of-charge. No specific instruction to restrict energy intake was given. The primary outcome was change in fat mass from baseline, evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Other endpoints included body weight, waist circumference, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis markers, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, physical activity, stress and eating behavior.

RESULTS

There were significant main effects of time (P < 0.01), but no group main effects, or time-by-group interactions, for the change in fat mass (personalized: -2.1 [95% CI -2.9, -1.4] kg; control: -2.0 [95% CI -2.7, -1.3] kg) and body weight (personalized: -3.1 [95% CI -4.1, -2.1] kg; control: -3.3 [95% CI -4.2, -2.4] kg). The difference between groups in fat mass change was -0.1 kg (95% CI -1.2, 0.9 kg, P = 0.77). Both diets resulted in significant improvements in insulin resistance and lipid profile, but there were no significant differences between groups.

CONCLUSION

Personalized dietary plans did not result in greater benefits over a generic, but generally healthy diet, in this 10-week clinical trial. Further studies are required to establish the soundness of different precision nutrition approaches, and translate this science into clinically relevant dietary advice to reduce the burden of obesity and its comorbidities.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT04590989).

Empowering consumers to PREVENT diet-related diseases through OMICS sciences (PREVENTOMICS): protocol for a parallel double-blinded randomised intervention trial to investigate biomarker-based nutrition plans for weight loss

INTRODUCTION

Personalised nutrition holds immense potential over conventional one-size-fits-all approaches for preventing and treating diet-related diseases, such as obesity. The current study aims to examine whether a personalised nutritional plan produces more favourable health outcomes than a standard approach based on general dietary recommendations in subjects with overweight or obesity and elevated waist circumference.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This project is a 10-week parallel, double-blinded randomised intervention trial. We plan to include 100 adults aged 18-65 years interested in losing weight, with body mass index ≥27 but<40 kg/m² and elevated waist circumference (males >94 cm; females >80 cm). Participants will be categorised into one of five predefined 'clusters' based on their individual metabolic biomarker profile and genetic background, and will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups: (1) personalised plan group that will receive cluster-specific meals every day for 6 days a week, in conjunction with a personalised behavioural change programme via electronic push notifications; or (2) control group that will receive meals following the general dietary recommendations in conjunction with generic health behaviour prompts. The primary outcome is the difference between groups (personalised vs control) in the change in fat mass from baseline. Secondary outcomes include changes in weight and body composition, fasting blood glucose and insulin, lipid profile, adipokines, inflammatory biomarkers, and blood pressure. Other outcomes involve measures of physical activity and sleep patterns, health-related quality of life, dietary intake, eating behaviour, and biomarkers of food intake. The effect of the intervention on the primary outcome will be analysed by means of linear mixed models.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and media outlets.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04590989.