Prevention and Reversion of NAFLD in Obese Patients With Metabolic Syndrome by Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity (FLIPAN)
Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease focused on measuring Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Metabolic syndrome, Mediterranean Diet, Physical activity
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age between 40 and 60 years
- Diagnosis of NAFLD by ultrasound
- BMI ≥ 27 and < 40 kg/m2
- Meeting at least 3 of 5 criteria for the metabolic syndrome [as described in the International Diabetes Federation consensus]: (1) BMI >30kg/m² or increased waist circumference: ≥ 94 cm in males; ≥ 80 cm in females; (2) Triglycerides (TG) levels ≥ 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) or specific treatment; (3) Reduced HDL cholesterol: < 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) in males; < 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in females or specific treatment; (4) Raised blood pressure: systolic BP ≥ 130 or diastolic BP ≥ 85 mm Hg or treatment of previously diagnosed hypertension; (5) Raised fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), or previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes
- Written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Inability or unwillingness to give informed consent or communicate with staff study
- Documented history of prior cardiovascular disease [angina; myocardial infarction; coronary revascularization procedures; stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic including transient ischemic attacks); symptomatic peripheral artery disease that required surgery or was diagnosed with vascular imaging techniques; ventricular arrhythmia; uncontrolled atrial fibrillation; congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III or IV); hypertrophic myocardiopathy; and history of aortic aneurism >=5.5cm in diameter or aortic aneurism surgery]
- Documented history of prior liver diseases (other than NAFLD)
- Active cancer or a history of malignancy in the last 5 years
- Low predicted probability to change food habits according to the Stages of Change Model (Nigg, 1999)
- Unwillingness or inability to adhere to the dietary and physical activity intervention over the entire period of the study
- Failure to follow scheduled visits
- Weight loss (>5 kg) during 6 months prior to visit
- Previous surgical procedures for weight loss or scheduled bariatric surgery within the next 12 months
- Use of weight loss medications during 6 months prior to visit
- Previous history of bowel resection, inflammatory bowel disease
- Obesity associated with endocrine disease (except treated hypothyroidism)
- Allergy to Mediterranean diet foods or components
- Severe psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, or depression with hospitalization within the last 6 months) or Beck Depression Inventory score > 30
- Severe condition with less than 24 months life expectancy
- Chronic abuse of drugs or alcohol (>21 and >14 units of alcohol a week for men and women, respectively; 1 unit = 125 mL of wine)
- Treatment with steroids
- Pregnancy
Sites / Locations
- University of the Balearic Islands
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Active Comparator
1st group: Physical Activity and Mediterranean Diet (PA-MD)
2nd group: High Meal Frequency of Mediterranean Diet (HMF-MD)
3rd group: Control diet (CD)
A first group of participants will be advised to reduce their caloric intake by 25-30% with a macronutrients distribution of 35-40% fat, 20% proteins, and 40-45% carbohydrates. Healthy fats (a maximum of 8-10% from saturated fats, >20% from monounsaturated fats, >10% from polyunsaturated fats and <300 mg/day of cholesterol) and low glycaemic index foods rich in fibre (not less than 30-35g /day) are strongly advised, together with foods rich in antioxidants, namely fruits and vegetables. Such diet reflects the traditional Mediterranean Diet described in the PREDIMED (Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet)-Plus study. As for physical activity, patients the participants will be recommended a 35 minutes interval training session three times a week. Physical activity sessions of 35 minutes will consist of 5 minutes warm-up, 20 minutes interval training, and 10 minutes breathing and stretching.
A second group of participants will be advised to reduce their caloric intake by 25-30% with a macronutrients distribution of 30-35% fat, 25% proteins, and 40-45% carbohydrates. Healthy fats and low glycaemic index foods will be strongly advised, together with foods rich in antioxidants, namely fruits and vegetables. Participants will be advised to consume 7 meals a day, gradually reducing the caloric content at each main meal, and to walk 10.000 steps a day.
A third group of participants will be advised to reduce their caloric intake by 25-30% with a macronutrients distribution of 30% fat, 15% proteins, and 55% carbohydrates, and maintain an adequate fibre (25g/day) and cholesterol (<250mg/day) intake. Meal frequency will be of 3-5 meals a day. Moreover, the participants will be advised to walk 10.000 steps a day.