Cardiometabolic disorders are a leading cause of death worldwide. Replacing saturated fatty acids (SFA) with unsaturated fatty acids is recommended as a way of lowering cardiometabolic disease risk.

Consuming a diet rich in SFA may lead to a greater metabolic-inflammatory response in white adipose tissue during the fasting state, when compared to eating a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Since individuals spend most of the day in the fed (or postprandial) state, it is important to see how different types of dietary fatty acids affect postprandial white adipose tissue and systemic metabolic-inflammatory responses.

This study will investigate the effect of a SFA-rich meal on markers of white adipose tissue and systemic metabolic-inflammation, compared to a MUFA-rich meal in overweight adults. In a randomised, single blind controlled, cross-over manner participants will consume either a SFA- or MUFA-rich meal and sequential blood and white adipose tissue samples will be collected before and until 6 hours postprandially.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-50 years

• BMI = 25-40 kg/m2

• Male or Female

• Waist circumference >94 cm (men) and >80cm (women)*

• Physically active (> 3 x 30 min moderate intensity exercise per week)

• Systolic blood pressure < 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg

• No cardiometabolic (e.g. heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes) or inflammatory illness

  • NOTE: If waist circumference falls below 94 cm for men or 80cm for women but BMI is >25 kg/m2 volunteers may still be recruited at the PI's discretion.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoker
• Previous diagnosis of anaemia
• Women who are pregnant or lactating
• Taking medication known to interfere with study outcomes (e.g. treatment for hyperlidaemia, hypertension, inflammation or hypercoagulation) or prescribed antibiotics within the last 3 months
• Taking nutritional supplements known to interfere with study outcomes (e.g. fish oil or evening primrose oil)
• Unstable weight history (>3 kg loss or gain in the previous 3 months)
• An allergy to lidocaine
• Those with known or suspected food intolerances, allergies or hypersensitivity to any components of the meal (e.g. lactose/wheat intolerance)
• Alcohol consumption >28 units per week for a man or >21 units per week for a woman
• Any other unusual medical history or diet and lifestyle habits or practices that would preclude volunteers from participating in a dietary intervention or metabolic study
• Parallel participation in another intervention study