Effects of Coconut Consumption on Body Composition in Healthy Adult Individuals: a Randomized Controlled Study

This research is a randomized controlled study. The research was single-centered and was carried out with the academic, administrative and other personnel of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Health Sciences. Participants who agreed to participate in this study and were deemed eligible were given detailed information about the research and then an informed consent form was presented in writing and signed. The study was conducted within the framework of the standards and ethical criteria in the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by Bahçeşehir University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (2018-05/05). This research was written according to CONSORT criteria.

The study was conducted between January and July 2018. Volunteer, healthy adults between the ages of 18-65, without any physical disability or uncontrolled chronic systemic disease or problems with reading and comprehension, were included in the study, regardless of gender. Individuals who were following an existing diet program, having a history of pregnancy and cancer, having undergone acute abdominal surgery, or having unstable conditions due to cardiovascular and endocrine systems were not included in the study. Participants who did not attend the four-week healthy nutrition training were excluded from the study.

A list of all faculty members was created by the researchers. Randomization was made to the experimental and control groups in a 1:1 ratio using the sealed envelope selection method. Data was collected between April and May 2018.

Power analysis was used to calculate the sample size of this study. Since G Power power analysis was performed with a 95% confidence interval and an effect size of 0.8, it was found that 20 participants per group should be included in the study. The population of the research includes 74 personnel. In this study, the target for the number of samples is to reach the universe. However, the sample of the study consisted of 62 personnel who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study voluntarily.

All participants were given 4 weeks of healthy nutrition training. Participants' basal metabolic rates were calculated according to gender and body weight (kg) using the Schofield equation. The equation appropriate for each participant's age was used. The daily energy requirement of the participants was calculated by adding an activity factor of 1.3 to the calculated basal metabolic rate. A healthy nutrition program was prepared according to the calculated daily energy needs of the participants. While preparing this program, WHO and Turkey-Specific Healthy Nutrition Guide (TÜBER) were used. In the individual healthy nutrition program, 55% carbohydrates, 15% protein and 30% fat macronutrients are provided. Total cholesterol in the nutrition program was kept at 300 mg and below. The control group was given only a healthy nutrition program. The intervention group was asked to consume 50 g of fresh coconut daily in addition to the healthy nutrition program. Coconuts were regularly provided to the participants as a whole fruit by the researchers.