Obesity / overweight

The Effect of Dairy Intake on Body Weight and Composition and Metabolic Health in Adolescents and Seniors

Recruiting · Toronto, Ontario

Always free

Study care at no cost to you

For your time and travel

Many studies pay you back

Most need no insurance or papers

Legal status usually isn't required; we'll tell you each study's requirements

Interpreters available

Ask for your language

Your choice

Voluntary — you can stop anytime

What is this study?

It is , overseen by an independent and licensed medical staff.

Read the full clinical description

The goal of this study is to examine how regular dairy intake affects body weight, body composition, and metabolic health in overweight and obese adolescents (ages 15-18) and older adults (ages 60-80) over six months. We are inviting eligible individuals to participate in this study at the Nutrition Intervention Center, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups. The intervention (dairy) group will consume three servings of dairy per day (milk, yogurt, and cheese) before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The control (low-dairy) group will continue their usual diet, keeping dairy intake to less than one serving per day. Participants will have biweekly sessions with a registered dietitian to be guided to follow Canada's Food Guide, monitor their dietary intake and ensure compliance with their assigned group. In addition, they will visit the Nutrition Intervention Center at weeks 0, 12, and 24 for anthropometric and body composition assessments (weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, lean mass, and fat mass), resting metabolic rate, (gait speed, grip strength, and chair stand test just for older adults) and blood markers (fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide, HbA1c, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers). Each visit will take approximately 4 hours. Before each visit, the participants will be asked to fast overnight for 12 hours, maintain their usual diet and sleep patterns, and avoid exercise and alcohol the day before. The participants will be compensated for their time and travel expenses. Our secondary objective is to compare the effects of dairy and plant-based alternative products on blood sugar and appetite regulation in adolescents and older adults. Participants will be asked to come to the Nutrition Intervention Center on 3 separate occasions: once for an in-person screening lasting approximately 30 min and 2 times for study visits lasting approximately 2.5 hrs each. The entire study will take at least 2 weeks to complete. You will be asked to fast for 12 hrs (overnight) before each study visit. You will also be instructed to maintain the same dietary and sleep patterns and refrain from exercise and alcohol consumption on the days before the study visits. During these study visits, you will be asked to consume either a dairy or a plant-based alternative product as well as a pizza meal. You will periodically fill out questionnaires rating your feelings and perceptions, and provide blood samples through finger pricks and intravenously through your forearm to measure blood sugar, insulin, hormones, and amino acids. You will be compensated for your time and travel expenses.

Who this study is looking for

In plain language, from the study's own rules. The study team confirms the full details with you — this isn't a final yes or no.

✅ You may be able to join if…

•Teens age 15–18 with BMI z-score > +1SD and < +2SD, or older adults age 60–80 with BMI 25–34.9 kg/m2
•Waist circumference that is high for sex in seniors (over 80 cm for women or over 94 cm for men)
•Blood sugar at screening in the prediabetes range: fasting blood glucose (FBG) 5.6–6.9 mmol/L
•Willing to follow Canada’s Food Guide and follow the study visit rules (including fasting 12 hours before visits)
•Willing to consent/assent and allow release of relevant health information to the study

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

•Fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 7 mmol/L
•Higher blood pressure: for adolescents systolic ≥ 130 mmHg or diastolic ≥ 80 mmHg; for seniors systolic ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg
•Smoking (tobacco and/or cannabis product use in the last 6 months) for the long-term study
•History of certain major conditions (including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, any malabsorption syndrome, pancreatitis, or gallbladder/biliary disease)
•Pregnant, lactating, not postmenopausal for at least a year, or taking hormonal treatments

Are you a good fit?

Simplified highlights. The study team always confirms the full details with you.

✓Adults roughly 14–80
✓Have Obesity / overweight

!Some conditions may not be a fit: Heart / cardiovascular disease, High blood pressure
!Not for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding

What to expect, step by step

1
Usually a few weeks
The study team checks whether the study is a good fit for you, with a visit and sometimes lab tests. You can ask any questions before deciding.
2
Treatment
If you join and choose to continue, you receive the study treatment and are watched closely by medical staff.
3
Follow-up
After treatment, the team checks on your health and confirms the visit schedule with you. You can leave the study at any point.

Has this treatment been tested before?

The study team can share what safety testing has been done so far.

What you need to know before you apply

What is this study testing?+

Is it safe? Who makes sure of that?+

This is a research study. Every study is reviewed and monitored by an independent ethics board (called an IRB) whose job is to protect participants, and care is overseen by licensed medical staff. You'll be told the known risks before you agree to anything, and you can stop at any time.

Will I get a placebo instead of the real treatment?+

Some studies compare a treatment against a placebo (an inactive version), and some don't. If this one does, the study team will explain your chances of receiving the active treatment before you decide. Nothing is hidden from you.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications?+

It depends on the study. Some let you stay on your current medications and some ask you to adjust them. Never stop a medication on your own — the study team will review everything with you first.

Does it cost anything? Will I be paid?+

Study-related care is provided at no cost to you. This study may also compensate you for your time and travel — the team will tell you the amount before you join. You should never be asked to pay to take part.

Do I need insurance? Will anyone ask about my immigration status?+

No. You do not need health insurance to take part in a research study, and you will not be asked about your immigration status to join. Taking part is about whether you're a medical fit for the study.

What if English isn't my first language?+

You have the right to understand everything before you agree. Study sites can often provide materials or an interpreter in your language — you can ask the coordinator for one.

Is my information private?+

Yes. Your health information is only shared with the study sites you choose to be contacted by, and only to help match and enroll you. It is never sold, and you can ask us to delete it at any time.

Some requirements (like specific lab values or timing) are confirmed directly by the study team, not by us.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06879652 · Locations: Ontario