A randomised controlled trial of a reduced carbohydrate diet versus a low fat diet for the treatment of childhood obesity: the Eat Smart Study

A controlled trial of a reduced carbohydrate diet versus a low fat diet on weight, body composition and metabolic profile in obese adolescents

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN49438757

Enrollment

135

Registered

2008-05-16

Start date

2008-02-02

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2016-10-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Childhood obesity Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine Childhood obesity

Interventions

1. Low fat diet (25% fat, 55% carbohydrate, 20% protein) for 24 weeks 2. Reduced carbohydrate diet (35% carbohydrate, 35% fat, 30% protein) for 24 weeks 3. Wait list control group. Those families allo

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Age 11- 17 years, both males and females 2. Body mass index >90th percentile for age 3. Parents/guardians are able to give informed written consent and child to give assent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: The following will be assessed at baseline, 12 weeks (all three arms) and 24 weeks (only in active diet arms): 1. Obesity with known medical cause 2. Taking stimulants, psychotropic medication, steroids or insulin senstisers

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Change in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI Z score), assessed at baseline, 12 weeks (all three arms) and 24 weeks (only in active diet arms).	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
The following will be assessed at baseline, 12 weeks (all three arms) and 24 weeks (only in active diet arms): 1. Change in percentage body fat 2. Cardiometabolic markers of disease risk, including insulin level	—

Countries

Australia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 31, 2026