DART (Dietary approaches in type 2 diabetes-Appetite Response Testing)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of a low-carbohydrate weight loss diet compared to a low-fat weight loss diet in people with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity, on appetite and glycaemic control.
IRAS ID
279637
Contact name
Elizabeth Morris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
There is a growing interest from patients, practitioners and the media, in the potential use of low carbohydrate diets for people with type 2 diabetes. Evidence suggests these may be a safe and effective method for weight loss and reductions in average blood glucose in the short-term. However, it is not clear what effects these diets have on peoples’ appetite (which influences whether these diets might be effective and sustainable longer-term), or their day-to-day blood glucose control.\nTo address this evidence gap, I will run an experimental study to investigate the effects of a low carbohydrate weight-loss diet on appetite in people with type 2 diabetes. I will invite volunteers with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity to participate. They will be asked to follow a low carbohydrate, or low fat, energy-matched weight loss diet for 4 weeks. During this period they will wear continuous glucose monitors, to track how their day-to-day blood glucose control changes with weight loss, and with eating different foods. They will attend two study days, one before and one after the weight loss period, where they will be asked to eat a fixed breakfast, then complete questionnaires about their hunger, have blood samples taken to measure their blood glucose and gut hormones (which contribute to regulation of our appetite), and then eat as much as they like at a lunchtime meal, to help us understand how their appetite and energy intake may change depending on what diet they have been following. We will also measure the amount of body fat they have, and where in the body it is stored, using a non-invasive imaging technique called a DEXA scan, before and after the diet.\n
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0363
Date of REC Opinion
22 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion