Dairy Intervention in People With Obesity

Dairy Intervention in People With Obesity

Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but weight reduction is difficult to achieve. In this randomized controlled trial we will include 120 obese subjects. Subjects will be allocated to one of the 3 diet types (minus 500 kcal / d):

• Yoghurt diet: 500 g low-fat yogurt / d, about 1000-1100 mg calcium / d,
• Milk product diet: 500 g of low-fat milk or buttermilk / d, about 1000-1100 mg calcium / d
• Standard diet: 500 g soy yogurt / d, about 500 mg calcium / d Primary endpoint is the change in fat mass (baseline vs. 12 weeks), secondary endpoints are metabolic and endocrine parameters, gut microbiome, quality of life, hunger and satiety.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI ≥30 kg/m²
• Age of ≥18 and <60 years
• Written informed consent before study entry
• Willingness to introduce a dietary change to lose weight

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serum calcium ≥2.7 mmol/l
• Dislike or intolerance of dairy products, reporting adverse responses or allergy to dairy products
• Pregnancy or lactating women
• Having given birth in the last year or planning a pregnancy in the next 6 months
• Menopause (as defined by FSH levels ≥30 IU/l)
• Disorders associated with androgen excess and/or menstrual irregularities except PCOS (overt thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia, adrenal hyperplasia, androgen secreting tumors)
• Malabsorption syndrome
• Intake of medication influencing metabolic or endocrine parameters (insulin sensitizers, oral contraceptives, …), obesity pharmacotherapeutic agents, or calcium supplements in the last 3 months before study entry
• Regular intake of calcium supplements in the last 3 months before study entry
• Lifestyle changes (changes in physical activity) or weight reduction (≥10% of body weight) in the last 3 months before study entry