Grant: Project Grant

This study will assess the effects of using a simple, low-cost, safe dietary fibre to treat non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with obesity. This dietary fibre supplement is known as fructooligosaccharide, or FOS. This supplement has been very effective at treating NAFLD in adults, but it has never been studied in children with this condition. To participate in the study, children ages 8-17 years old with obesity who are followed at the McMaster Children's Hospital Weight Management Clinic will begin by having an MRI. This MRI will be used to determine the amount of fat in their liver. They will also have bloodwork performed, and their weight and height measured. Then, participants will be split into two groups: one group will be given the FOS dietary fiber supplement powder; the other group will be given an identical powder that contains a low-calorie, tasteless sugar instead (placebo). Participants will mix their powder into a drink, which they will take twice a day for 6 months. At 3 months, all participants will have bloodwork performed, and their weight and height measured to track how they're doing. Finally, at 6 months, all participants will have their final MRI to determine if the amount of fat in their liver has decreased. The study is being done through McMaster Children's Hospital's Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre (CENC). This is one of the largest, and longest-running paediatric obesity programs in Canada. This team is very experienced in studying paediatric obesity, and children and their families will have a large team to support them through the study. We aim to have 60 children receive the FOS fibre, or placebo for this study. NAFLD is one of the leading causes of liver disease in Canada and more children are being diagnosed each year. This study will help us determine if this simple, low-cost dietary fibre can help reverse this serious condition affecting children across Canada and the world.