Effectiveness of Changing Dietary Fat on Weight Loss (HAWLS)

This is an interventional other trial for Overweight Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

Male or female between the ages of 20-60 years of age.

• Body Mass Index (BMI) 27.0 -35.0 kg/m2.
• Not currently taking a prescription medication for weight loss (e.g. orlistat (Xenical®), sibutramine (Meridia®) or phentermine etc.) If subject is willing to discontinue prescription medication(s) immediately and willing to refrain from taking medication(s) for duration of study, he/she may be enrolled after a four-week washout period.
• Not currently taking any over-the-counter weight loss supplement(s) or appetite suppressants (including OTC stimulants). If subject is willing to discontinue supplement(s) immediately and willing to refrain from taking supplement(s) for duration of study, he/she may be enrolled after a two-week washout period.
• Not currently enrolled in any commercial weight loss program (e.g. Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers), internet based weight-management program, self-help group (e.g. TOPS, Overeaters Anonymous) or participating in any food preparation/delivery program (eg Nutrisystems). If subject is willing to discontinue program immediately and willing to refrain from program for duration of study, he/she may be included after a two-week washout period.
• Willing to keep and turn in a daily log/compliance book as required by study protocol.
• Willingness and ability to make all scheduled appointments.
• Willing to follow dietary recommendations required by study protocol.
• Willingness to complete Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) procedure.
• Willingness to periodically have small blood samples drawn as indicated in the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

More than a 5 pound weight gain or weight loss within the 3 months prior to enrollment in the study.

• History of thyroid disease, but not taking medication or medication dosage changed one or more times over last 6 months. History of thyroid disease and on a stable dose of prescription medication for 6 months or longer is acceptable.
• Diagnosed with Type I or Type II diabetes. History of major surgery within three months of enrollment.
• History of heart problems (e.g. angina, bypass surgery, MI, etc.) within three months prior to enrollment.
• Presence of implanted cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker.
• Uncontrolled hypertension/high blood pressure.
• History of a surgical procedure for weight loss at any time (e.g. gastroplasty, gastric by-pass, gastrectomy or partial gastrectomy).
• Gastrointestinal disorders including chronic malabsorptive conditions, peptic ulcer disease, Crohn's disease, chronic diarrhea or active gallbladder disease.
• History of inflammatory bowel disease.
• Following a diet that requires the elimination of FODMAPS•
• Following a specific diet that restricts specific food groups (eg. Paleo) or with extreme macronutrient ratios (carbohydrates, fats and proteins). • History of fatty liver.
• History or presence of cancer. Persons with successfully resected basal cell carcinoma of the skin may be enrolled if treatment completed more than 6 months prior to enrollment.
• History of clinically diagnosed eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder.
• Women who are pregnant, lactating or trying to become pregnant.
• Currently taking any prescription medication for less than 3 months.
• Currently taking any prescriptions drugs that may impact weight regulation
• Currently consuming >14 alcoholic drinks (1 drink = 12 fl oz beer, 4 fl oz wine or 1.5 fl oz liquor) per week and/or unwilling to limit intake to less than 3 drinks per week during study participation.
• Known allergy to avocados.
• History of alcohol dependency.
• Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days prior to enrollment.
• Currently smoking cigarettes.
• Any clinically significant food allergy.
• Currently consuming an average of >1 avocado per week.