Abstract P285: Small Dose of Medium Chain Fatty Acids From Coconut Oil Does Not Enhance Thermogenesis in Overweight Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Previous research has shown that consumption of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) in overweight adults can increase energy expenditure and improve weight management, but no research has been done in children. Our study tests the effects of a test oil enriched in MCT from coconut oil, on energy expenditure, satiety, and metabolic markers in overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double blind, crossover study in which 15 children, age 13-18 y, with a body mass index >85 th percentile for age and sex, were enrolled. Two test meals were administered which contained 20 g of fat from either corn oil or an MCT-enriched baking fat (providing approximately 4.7 g of fatty acids with chain lengths ≤12C). A fasting blood sample was taken before breakfast and the thermic effect of food (TEF) was assessed using indirect calorimetry for 6 h. During the test, satiety was measured using visual analog scales (VAS) and additional blood samples were obtained from an intravenous catheter at times 30, 45, 60, 120, and 180 min post-meal for measurement of hormones and metabolites. Results: There was no significant effect of fat type, time, or fat type x time interaction on TEF, appetite and satiety, glucose, and insulin area under the curve (AUC). However, there was a significant effect of fat type on leptin (P = 0.027), triglycerides (P = 0.020), and peptide YY (P = 0.0085) whereby leptin and triglyceride concentrations were lower with corn oil consumption and peptide YY concentrations were higher. Conclusions: Our results do not suggest that this MCT-rich test oil enhances thermogenesis and satiety in children. Given that this is the only current study of its kind, more research is needed into the use of MCT as a tool in weight management in overweight and obese children.