Effect of a Low-Calorie MCT-Rich Traditional Minangkabau Diet on Obese Individuals

This study aims to investigate the effect of a low-calorie diet rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) based on traditional Minangkabau foods on metabolic biomarkers in individuals with obesity. The traditional Minangkabau foods used in this study consist primarily of coconut milk-based dishes, which contain coconut oil as a natural source of MCTs. The metabolic biomarkers assessed include body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body fat percentage, fasting blood glucose levels, lipid profile, leptin concentrations, and DNA methylation of the leptin gene promoter. Based on these metabolic biomarker measurements, participants will be classified into metabolic obesity phenotypes, namely metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). The researchers hypothesize that the provision of a low-calorie, MCT-rich diet based on traditional Minangkabau foods will have a significant effect on metabolic biomarkers and metabolic status in individuals with obesity.