The effect of a low-calorie, high medium-chain triglyceride diet on the metabolic status of individuals with obesity

Background: Obesity increases the risk of metabolic disorders and is a growing global health issue. However, not all people with obesity share the same metabolic profile. Some are classified as metabolically healthy obese (MHO), while others are metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO), with a higher risk of complications. These phenotypes can shift over time, influenced by diet and lifestyle. This study aimed to analyze the effect of a low-calorie diet enriched with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) on anthropometric parameters and metabolic status in individuals with obesity. Methods: A pre-post intervention trial without a control group was conducted involving 41 obese participants who followed a low-calorie, high-MCT diet for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat percentage, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and metabolic status. Paired sample t tests and McNemar were used to analyze the data. Results: Significant reductions were observed in body weight ( P < 0.001), waist circumference ( P < 0.001), and body fat percentage ( P < 0.001). Changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as fasting glucose levels, were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). Total cholesterol increased significantly ( P = 0.008), while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased significantly ( P =0.033). No significant changes were observed in triglycerides or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The proportion of MHO individuals increased from 29.3% to 46.3%, while the proportion of MUHO individuals decreased from 70.7% to 53.7%, indicating a shift toward a healthier metabolic phenotype. Conclusion: A low-calorie, MCT-enriched diet effectively improves anthropometric and metabolic parameters in individuals with obesity, supporting its potential as a nutritional strategy for metabolic syndrome management in Indonesia.