Effects of avocado oil on the health of adolescents with Metabolic Syndrome

INTERVENTION: After screening, a nutritionist not involved in the present study distributed the participants into three different study arms (15 participants per arm) using a computer‐generated randomization sequence (GraphPad statistical software; QuickCalcs, La Jolla, CA, USA). This independent nutritionist was responsible for the biweekly distribution of the capsules and remained the only person with access to the allocation list. Except for this professional, the investigators and clinicians involved in the study remained blinded to group allocation until completion of the statistical analyses. Participants were allocated to receive: Group 1 (n=15): One capsule per day containing 1 g of avocado oil. Group 2 (n=15): One capsule per day containing 2 g of avocado oil. Control Group (n=15): One capsule per day containing 500 mg of mineral oil (placebo). The intervention lasted 12 weeks. Participants in all three groups received general healthy eating guidance during group meetings held every two weeks throughout the intervention period. CONDITION: Adolescent ; Obesity C18.654.726.750.500 PRIMARY OUTCOME: Expected primary outcome: A reduction in insulin resistance, assessed by the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR), was expected from baseline to the end of the 12‐week avocado oil supplementation period in adolescents with obesity, compared with the placebo group.; Primary outcome found: After 12 weeks of avocado oil supplementation, no significant improvement in insulin resistance, assessed by HOMA‐IR, was observed when comparing the intervention and placebo groups. However, participants receiving the higher dose of avocado oil showed a trend toward lower HOMA‐IR values compared with the other groups, suggesting a potential beneficial effect that should be further investigated in studies with larger sample sizes. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Expected secondary outcome: Improvements in lipid profile, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, liver biomarkers and glucose metabolism were expected after 12 weeks of avocado oil supplementation. Secondary outcome found: Improvements were observed mainly in liver biomarkers, with reductions in AST and ALT in the intervention groups, while ALT increased in the placebo group. Resolution of hepatic steatosis occurred in three participants receiving avocado oil. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for lipid profile, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure or glucose metabolism, although moderate effect sizes favored the higher‐dose group for HOMA‐IR, AST and ALT. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years; diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome; signature of the Assent Form by the adolescent and the Informed Consent Form (ICF) by the parents or legal guardians