MSU Research: Impact of Diet on BMI & Cholesterol in Obese Individuals

This research project investigates the impact of a low-fat, high-fiber diet on the Body Mass Index (BMI) and cholesterol levels of obese individuals. The study addresses the increasing prevalence of obesity in Malaysia and its associated health risks, aiming to identify dietary patterns and analyze the effects of a 3-month dietary intervention on a randomized sample of 50 obese patients aged 18-35. The methodology involves a case-control study design, measuring BMI and cholesterol levels before and after the intervention, while adjusting for confounders like smoking and sedentary lifestyle. The expected outcomes include establishing a relationship between dietary changes and cholesterol levels, ultimately impacting BMI. The research anticipates providing statistical data demonstrating the benefits of reduced carbohydrate and fat intake, contributing to further research on metabolic and physiological alterations related to cholesterol deposition and obesity.

Project Code:
One (1) copy of this form must be submitted to the Research Management Center (RMC), Level 16 Management Tower,
Management & Science University.
[Incomplete Form will be rejected]
A TITLE OF PROPOSED RESEARCH:
Low fat high fiber diet can reduce the BMI of obese individuals by reduction of cholesterol
accumulation
B DETAILS OF RESEARCHER
B(i) Name of Project Leader: IC / Passport Number:
Country (if not Malaysian):
B(ii) Position (Please tick ( √ )):
Professor Assoc. Prof. Sen. Lect. Lecturer
B(iii) Faculty/School/Centre/Unit :
B(iv) Office Telephone No.: Mobile No.:
B(v) MSU E-mail Address: Other Email Address (if any):
B(vi) Date of first appointment with MSU :
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B(vii) Type of Service (Please tick ( √ )):
Permanent Contract (State contract expiry date):
B
(viii) a) Latest Seed Grant Granted (Semester/Year) :
b) Number of Seed Grant Approved Previously :
c) List of Publications from Previous Approved Seed Grant*:
No Title of Article & Authors Name of Journal
Published/Conferences attended
Year
1
2
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*Please attach front page of article as evidence
c RESEARCH INFORMATION (Please tick √)
C(i) Area of Research (MSU 16 Key Research Area)
Natural Products
Genetics of Cardiovascular Diseases
Blindness Prevention & Vision Studies
Cosmetics Drug Delivery System
Vaccine Development
Medical Education
Energy Management
Image Processing
Animation
Marine Engineering
Mobile Security
Social Media
Social Impact of Hospitality & Tourism
Spa & Health Management
Educational Management & Leadership
Leadership & Entrepreneurship
C(ii) Location of Research:
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C(iii) Mode of Research
Survey Lab Work
Duration of this research :
Duration: _________________
From : _________________
To : ________________
C(iv) Other Co-Researchers:
No Name IC / Passport
Number:
Faculty/ School/
Centre/ Unit
Academic
Qualification/
Designation Signature
1
2
3
Potential Student for Postgraduate Studies (MSc/PhD) :
No Name & ID No Faculty/ School/
Centre/ Unit Postgraduate
Program
Submission of
Postgraduate
Application Form
(Y/N)
Signature
1
3

2
C(vi) Executive Summary of Research Proposal (maximum 300 words)
(Please include the problem statement, objectives, research methodology, expected output/
outcomes/implication, and significance of output/benefits from the research project)
Problem statement :
One of the greatest healh concerns in the developing nations is the prevalence of morbid obesity. In malaysia,
the prevalence of obesity had increased to a total of 19.5% in the last few couple of years (Jan Mohamed et al.,
2015). The impact of obesity on co-occurring disorders like cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, and
diabetes has affected the life expectancy and health status of the Malaysian population as well in the past 5
years (Klempel, Kroeger & Varady, 2013). Hence the need for health promotional measures to control and
manage the rising rate of obeisty is crucial.
Objectives:
This research study will attempt to target the dietary habits of the Malaysian population in order to reduce the
BMI of the tareget obese population. The primary objectives of the research include:
● Identifiaction of the dietay pattern of target obese population
● Analysis of the BMI and cholesterol levels of the target population before the implementatio of the diet
intervention.
● Analysis of the BMI and cholesterol levels after 3 months of intervention implementation.
● Drawing verdict upon the impact of the dietary intervention on the reduction of BMI and cholesterol levels
Methodology :
The research design for the study will be a case control study. The sampling will be randomized based on the
weight and BMI, 50 obese patients belonging to the age group of 18 to 35 will be selected for the intervention.
Informed consent will be taken from each of the participant providing liberty to discontinue the research at will.
The BMI and cholesterol level testing will be done before and after implementation of the low fat high fibre diet.
Confounders like smoking, alcohol addiction, sedantary lifestyle will be adjusted to the final data. Although, thetic
genetic predisposition for obesity will not be considered in the study.
Expected output/outcomes/implication:
The study is expected to discver the key relation between healthy dietary changed on the cholesterol veles and
in turn BMI of the obese patients
Significance/benefits of research:
The study will discover the key interrelation between one modifiable determinant of obesity, dietary habits and its
direct impact on oebisty and cholesterol accumulation. From the statistcal data from the study, key connection
can be drawn between the impact of reduced carbohydrate and fat content in diet and its direct impacton the BMI
and cholesterol leveks of the oebese patients. The study will also be a fertile ground for further research in
discovering the key metabolic and physiolgical alterations brought forth by the healthy dietary changes in he
pathway of cholesterol deposition and its trickle down effect on ebsity and co-occuring disorders.
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References:
Jan Mohamed, H. J. B., Yap, R. W. K., Loy, S. L., Norris, S. A., Biesma, R., & Aagaard-Hansen, J. (2015).
Prevalence and determinants of overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults in
Malaysia. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 27(2), 123-135.
Klempel, M. C., Kroeger, C. M., & Varady, K. A. (2013). Alternate day fasting (ADF) with a high-fat diet produces
similar weight loss and cardio-protection as ADF with a low-fat diet. Metabolism-Clinical and
Experimental, 62(1), 137-143.
D ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL
D(i)
Please provide information on equipment/apparatus/materials at the MSU or other institution/industry
that may be used for the project
No. Equipment/Apparatus/Material Location
1. Western blotting equipment Choose as per
your conveiniece
2. Centrifuges
3. BMI calculation equipment
4. Cholesterol analyzer
5. Miscellaneous items
E BUDGET
Please indicate your estimated budget for this research
Budget details Amount requested by applicant Amount approved by MSU
Research Committee
E(i) Travelling
(Is a part of survey research
only)
4890 Malaysian Ringgits
E(ii) Research Materials and
Supplies (please list in
details)
45500 Malaysian Ringgits
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Relevant books and
articles.
Access to labs and
medical databases.
Access to survey data on
obesity statistics in the
local area
Apparatus for fibre
concentration calculation.
BMI measuremnt
parameters and
apparatus
Cholesterol analyzers
Statistical analysis
softwares.
E(iii) Professional services
(include printing,
professional service and
other services related to the
research – please list)
16500 Malaysian Ringgits
TOTAL AMOUNT
66890 Malaysian Ringgits
F DECLARATION BY APPLICANT
I have attached Ethics Committee Application form together with this application
I hereby declare that all information stated here are accurate, RMC has right to reject or to cancel
the application if there is any inaccurate information given.
Date : Applicant’s Signature :
G FACULTY/SCHOOL (RESEARCH COORDINATOR)
(Please √ or X)
Checking & Verification
Originality of research : the research contains no materials previously published or written by another
person. Any contribution made to the research by others, is explicitly acknowledged in the research.
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Research project that can develop new ideas/theories/methods/models/process.
The application had fully adhered to the guidelines.
Name of Research Committee Involved for Evaluation of Proposal at Faculty :
No Name Staff ID Signature
Comment (if any) : _________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Date : Signature & Stamp:
H FACULTY /SCHOOL (DEAN/DEPUTY DEAN)
A. Recommended
B. Not Recommended (Please specify reason)
Reason:
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Date : Signature & Stamp :
I VICE PRESIDENT (CLUSTER)
Please tick ( √ )
A. Recommended
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B. Not Recommended (Please specify reason)
Reason:
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Date : Signature & Stamp:
J RESEARCH MANAGEMENT CENTER (DIRECTOR/MANAGER)
Please tick ( √ )
A. Recommended
B. Not Recommended (Please specify reason)
Reason:
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Date : Signature & Stamp :
Note: APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WILL BE TREATED IN FULL CONFIDENCE. THE DECISION OF THE MSU
RESEARCH COMMITTEE IS FINAL.
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