VICTORIA University researchers are embarking on a Australian-first study that will measure weight loss in slightly overweight women through a food supplement.
Dr Matthew Cooke says he was inspired to conduct the study, in which a saffron extract supplement will be used to suppress hunger, after a similar experiment in France recorded positive results. The two-year study will focus on 84 women aged 20-50 with a body mass index greater than 25 but less than 35.
It will be conducted at Victoria University and the new Western Centre for Health Research and Education at Sunshine Hospital.
It aims to measure participants’ food preferences, cravings, body composition, fullness after eating and appetite for 12 weeks, during which they will take two supplements per day.
“They are not required to change their diet or lifestyle in any way,” Dr Cooke says.
Tania Zajac hopes the study will help her shed unwanted weight.
The Hoppers Crossing resident, 21, says she has struggled with her weight for most of life
and was on the verge of an eating disorder when she was 16.
“I’ve always been a bigger girl and it was really hard during high school when I began to get teased about my weight. It got to the point where I always thought people were judging me for what I ate, so I started starving myself.”
Ms Zajac says her rapid weight loss alarmed her mother who intervened before it spiralled out of control. The community care worker hopes to lose five kilograms as part of the study.
“I’m being realistic about it but I’m hoping I do see some results.”
Progress will be recorded by final-year nutrition students Lucy Hart and Emma Wlodyka. Ms Hart says she’s eager to see the internal results of the study, which will be assessed by a blood test and the centre’s bone density scanner, which uses radiation therapy to measure muscle and fat loss and and bone mineral density.
While the French study focused on weight loss, Dr Cooke wants to examine the supplement’s effect on snacking and uncover metabolic reasons why women may lose weight.
“Rather than looking at obese people we are focusing on every day, active women who are slightly overweight,” he says.
For details: 99192566 or email matt.cooke@vu.edu.au.
