Sexual dimorphism in the effects of overfeeding on insulin sensitivity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is there a gender difference in the effects of a high-fat, high-calorie diet on metabolic health?
IRAS ID
191667
Contact name
Sam Shepherd
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 4 days
Research summary
Obesity is now a worldwide epidemic, largely due to increased consumption of high-fat, high-calorie diets, and is associated with disturbed metabolic function leading to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance develops because fat ‘spills over’ from the expanded adipose stores into muscle and liver, creating a toxic environment that impairs the capacity to take up glucose into skeletal muscle. Research into understanding the development of insulin resistance has, however, almost exclusively been conducted in male participants. This is a serious oversight, because females are more insulin sensitive than BMI-matched males despite displaying larger fat stores, which would normally be associated with insulin resistance. It is possible, therefore, that females have a greater capacity to ‘resist’ the negative health effects of high-fat, high-calorie diets.
Short-term (up to 14 days) high-fat overfeeding has previously been shown to reduce insulin sensitivity in healthy males. This pilot study aims to investigate whether females are able to ‘resist’ this decrease in insulin sensitivity and maintain normal glycaemic control in response to a high-fat, high-calorie diet.
20 healthy, physically active participants (10 males, 10 females) will be recruited to consume a high-fat (65% energy), high-energy (+50% kcal) diet for 7 days. Throughout the 7 day dietary intervention glucose control will be assessed using continuous glucose monitoring. Before and after the intervention, measures will be made to assess changes in insulin sensitivity, vascular function and body composition.REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0380
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion