Effects of 12-Week Balanced Diet on Body Composition & Metabolic Parameters in Twins (TWIN-BD12)

A Comparative Study of Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins: Evaluating the Effects of a 12-Week Balanced Diet Intervention on Body Composition and Metabolic Parameters.

Twin study in Lahore will assess genetic vs. environmental effects on diet and metabolism. Over 12 weeks, monozygotic and dizygotic twins will follow a WHO-aligned balanced diet. Body composition, metabolic markers, and adherence will be measured. Monozygotic twins are expected to show greater similarity in response, clarifying personalized nutrition strategies in Pakistan.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Balanced Diet

Detailed Description

Background: Twin studies help separate genetic and environmental influences on diet and metabolic health. With rising obesity and metabolic disorders in Pakistan, there is no twin-based dietary intervention data. Filling this gap is essential for developing effective, evidence-based personalized nutrition strategies.

Hypothesis: The null hypothesis states that there will be no difference in dietary response or within-pair similarity between monozygotic and dizygotic twins. The alternative hypothesis suggests that monozygotic twins will show greater similarity in diet response and that the balanced diet will significantly improve metabolic outcomes.

Methodology: A 12-week randomized controlled trial will recruit Monozygotic and Dizygotic twins aged 18-60 years in Lahore, Pakistan. Participants of interventional group will follow a WHO-aligned balanced diet. Body composition, metabolic markers, and dietary adherence will be assessed at baseline and week 12.

Statistical Design: Analyses will be conducted in SPSS using paired t-tests for within-pair comparisons and independent t-tests for Monozygotic vs. Dizygotic differences. Effect sizes will be calculated, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Expected Outcomes: The study is expected to show that the balanced diet improves metabolic and body composition outcomes, with monozygotic twins displaying more similar responses than dizygotic twins. These findings will clarify genetic vs. environmental effects and support more targeted nutrition recommendations in Pakistan.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Qaisar Raza, Ph.D; Phone Number: +92-3002479044; Email: qaisar.raza@uvas.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Momina Azhar Mehmood, Postgraduate; Phone Number: +92-3227642452; Email: mominaazhar1612@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
      • Recruiting
      • University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lhr.
      • Contact: Qaisar Raza, Ph.D; Phone Number: +92-3002479044; Email: qaisar.raza@uvas.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female twins aged 18-60 years.
• Confirmed zygosity (MZ or DZ) based on a validated twin zygosity questionnaire.
• Both twins willing to participate for the entire intervention period.
• Free from chronic diseases requiring specialized diets (e.g., type 1 diabetes, celiac disease).
• Not currently enrolled in another dietary or lifestyle intervention study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating women.
• Use of lipid-lowering, glucose-lowering, or weight-loss medications in the past 3 months.
• Major gastrointestinal disorders or conditions affecting nutrient absorption.
• Unwillingness to follow individualized dietary counseling or complete study assessments.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Habitual Diet; Control group will remain on habitual Diet.
Experimental: Balanced Diet; 12-week culturally adapted WHO-aligned balanced diet emphasizing whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables, individualized based on basal metabolic rate (BMR) and physical activity levels will be provided to interventional arm.	Other: Balanced Diet; 12-week culturally adapted WHO-aligned balanced diet emphasizing whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. Macronutrient composition: 45-65% carbohydrates, 20-35% fats, 10-20% protein. Individualized based on basal metabolic rate (BMR) and physical activity. Weekly counseling and monitoring through dietary recalls and photographic diaries. This intervention aims to assess the effects of a balanced diet on body composition and metabolic parameters in monozygotic and dizygotic twins.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Body Fat Percentage (%)	Change in total body fat percentage measured using the InBody analyzer to assess the effect of a 12-week balanced diet intervention.	Baseline and after 12-Week of Intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Fasting Plasma Glucose (mg/dL)	Change in fasting plasma glucose concentration measured to assess the metabolic effect of the 12-week balanced diet intervention. Unit: mg/dL Tool: Venous blood sample, enzymatic laboratory method	Baseline and after 12 weeks
Change in Lipid Profile (mg/dL)	Change in fasting serum lipid concentrations measured to assess metabolic response to the 12-week balanced diet intervention. Includes: Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C, mg/dL) High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C, mg/dL) Triglycerides (mg/dL) Unit: mg/dL Tool: Venous blood sample, standard enzymatic laboratory methods	Baseline and after 12 weeks
To compare within-pair similarity of Dietary Response	To compare the within-pair similarity of diet response between Monozygotic (MZ) and Dizygotic (DZ) twins, allowing estimation of genetic versus environmental contributions to dietary effects.	Baseline and after 12-Weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore - Pakistan
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Qaisar Raza, Ph.D, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lhr.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): January 17, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 19, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 25, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 14, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 14, 2026
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Monozygotic; Metabolic Parameters; Dizygotic
• Other Study ID Numbers: UniversityUVAS1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No