The Influence of Coconut Oil and Palm Oil on Body Mass Index, Abdominal Circumference, and Fat Mass of Wistar Male Rats

Abstract

Overweight is one of the risk factors for degenerative diseases, one of which is due to excessive oil consumption. Coconut oil consists mostly of saturated fatty acids of 90% and medium chain fatty acids, making it easier to metabolize into energy, compared to palm oil. This study aims to compare the effect of coconut oil and palm oil on body mass index, abdominal circumference, and fat mass in male wistar rats. This study was conducted in November–December 2017 in Animal Laboratory Department of Pharmacology and Therapy in Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Padjadjaran Bandung. This study was an experimental study conducted for 28 days in 3 groups, each consisting of 7 rats fed standard diet ad libitum (G0), standard diet plus coconut oil supplementation (G1), and standard diet plus palm oil supplementation (G2). The result showed that the difference of BMI before and after treatment G0=0.06±0.050, G1=0.04±0.032, G2=0.05±0.027 (p=0.553). Difference in mean abdominal circumference before and after treatment G0=1.85±0.852, G1=0.71±1.318, and G2=0.42±1.789 (p=0.149). Mean fat mass group G0=4.61±1.318, G1=4.02±3.439, and G2=6.03±2.568 (p=0.179). There were no significant differences in BMI, abdominal circumference, and fat mass among the experimental groups. In conclusion, supplementation of coconut oil and palm oil in rats can increases BMI, abdominal circumference, and fat mass.