Statistical analysis
SECONDARY
The data collected in this study were analyzed using version 16 of the SPSS statistical software. Intention-to-treat analysis was employed to accurately estimate the intervention effect, with missing data imputed using the last observed value. The distribution of qualitative variables both among and within groups was assessed using the chi-square test. For comparisons between groups of quantitative variables with a normal distribution, the independent samples t-test was used, while the paired t-test was utilized for comparisons within groups over time. In cases where the distribution of variables was non-normal, the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were employed for between-group and within-group comparisons, respectively. To minimize potential confounding effects of variables such as baseline values, changes in energy intake, physical activity, and body weight on secondary outcomes, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed. Qualitative variables were presented as percentages, quantitative variables with a skewness of less than one were reported as mean ± standard deviation, and variables with a skewness equal to or greater than one were presented as median (interquartile range). P values of less than 5% (p < 0.05) was considered statistically significant.