Effects of Intermittent Caloric Restriction in Youth With Cardiometabolic Risk: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Study start date: July 12, 2018

Inclusion Criteria: Have at least one of the following cardiometabolic abnormalities: 1. Overweight or obesity (central obesity or general obesity) 2. Prediabetes: impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) 3. Dyslipidemia 4. Elevated blood pressure Criteria for cardiometabolic abnormalities: 1. Overweight or obesity For subjects (9 ≤ age ≤ 18 years) : • General obesity: Body mass index higher than the 85th percentile for overweight and the 90th percentile for obesity, based on the references for screening overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents. • Central obesity: Waist circumference higher than the 90th percentile of the age and gender-specific reference for screening cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese children and adolescents. For subjects ( 19 ≤ age ≤ 30 years) : • General obesity: Body mass index between 24.0 and 27.9 kg/m2 for overweight and ≥28 kg/m2 for obesity. • Central obesity: Waist circumference ≥85cm for men and ≥80cm for female. Based on recommendation of overweight and obesity in Chinese adults. 2. Prediabetes: With IFG and/or IGT. IFG: fasting glucose from 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L; IGT: 2-h glucose in the 75g oral glucose tolerance test from 7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L. Based on recommendation of American Diabetes Association. 3. Dyslipidemia: For subjects (9 ≤ age ≤ 18 years) : Triglycerides of ≥1.70 mmol/L or total cholesterol of ≥5.18 mmol/L or lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol ≥3.37 mmol/L or highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol of ≤1.04 mmol/L. Based on recommendation in Chinese children and adolescents. For subjects ( 19 ≤ age ≤ 30 years) : Triglycerides of ≥1.7 mmol/L or total cholesterol of ≥5.2 mmol/L or lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol ≥3.4 mmol/L or highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol of ≤1.0 mmol/L. Based on guideline for the management of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults. 4. Elevated blood pressure: For subjects (9 ≤ age ≤ 18 years) : Blood pressure higher than the 90th percentile of blood pressure age and gender-specific reference standards for Chinese children and adolescents, or blood pressure \>120/80 mmHg. For subjects ( 19 ≤ age ≤ 30 years) : Systolic blood pressure≥120 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg. Based on Chinese guidelines for the management of hypertension. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of severe diseases such as cardiac insufficiency, severe malnutrition or immunodeficiency. 2. History of bariatric surgery. 3. Use of antiobesity drugs or supplements.