A Trial to Investigate the Impact of a Low Glycemic Index (GI) Diet on Body Mass Index and Obesity Related Cardiovascular and Hormonal Factors in Chinese Adolescents

Epidemiological studies suggest a role for a low glycemic index (GI) diet in the management of obesity and associated metabolic risks including diabetes. However, evidence from long-term, randomized controlled trials exploring the relationship between low GI diet, weight reduction and glycemia, particularly in children and adolescents, is lacking. Modern food-processing technology has produced many food products with high GI which may contribute to the burgeoning epidemic of obesity worldwide. Since dietary habits are shaped in early life, adolescence is a critical period to educate our young people to acquire a healthy eating habit to prevent obesity.

The investigators hypothesized that, in Chinese adolescents, low GI diet results in greater reduction in body mass index and body fat percentage, enhanced insulin sensitivity and favorable changes of cardiometabolic risk factors compared to conventional diet after 12 months of intervention.

This study is a randomized controlled trial of a low GI (<55) versus conventional Chinese diet (GI>/=70) in adolescents (12-month intervention followed by a 6-month observational period) to study; 1) the changes in body mass index and obesity associated changes in cardiometabolic profile; 2) the underlying hormonal factors associated with these changes.