2.3. Randomization, Blinding, and Intervention
weight loss
The patients were randomly assigned to one of the two study groups (1 : 1). The randomized block procedure of size 4 was applied, and the sequence was generated using the random allocation software (RAS). Randomization was stratified by age (18–35 yrs. To assess habitual diet for each subject, a validated 169-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was fulfilled at baseline. LCD was defined as individual calorie-restricted diet for each patient using daily energy requirement (calculated based on Mifflin-St. Joer formula) minus 500 kcal to reach weight loss. The proportions of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from energy were 55%, 30%, and 15%, respectively.Those in “