Most dietary advice for preventing heart disease and diabetes comes from studies on Western populations, leaving a critical gap in knowledge for people in Southeast Asia. This networking project brings together researchers from Chulabhorn Royal Academy in Thailand and the University of Bath, UK, to begin filling that gap. Through bilateral visits and workshops, the team will transfer expertise on running rigorous dietary trials—specifically, replicate crossover randomized controlled trials that test how Thai individuals respond to changes in sugar and carbohydrate intake. The lead applicant will conduct a pilot study to generate preliminary data, which will form the basis for larger funding applications. If successful, this work could produce public health guidelines tailored to Thai communities, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all recommendations from Western research. The potential impact is significant: more culturally sensitive nutrition advice could improve metabolic health outcomes across Thailand, while also contributing to global efforts to make dietary science inclusive of diverse populations. This is a foundational step toward ensuring that nutritional interventions work for everyone, not just those in wealthy Western countries.
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Cardiometabolic diseases, such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes are a growing global health concern. Nutritional manipulation, including dietary interventions like sugar and/or total carbohydrate restriction (e.g., ketogenic diets), and physical activity play a crucial role in managing and preventing these conditions. However, much of the research has been conducted in Western countries, with limited understanding of how these findings apply to populations in Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand. This networking project is a first step towards addressing this gap by conducting region-specific studies on the effects of nutrient composition in Thai populations. The project is a collaboration between researchers at Chulabhorn Royal Academy in Thailand and the University of Bath, UK, leveraging UK expertise to develop high-quality human nutrition research in Thailand. Through bi-lateral visits and workshops, we plan to transfer expertise on conducting replicate crossover randomized controlled trials to generate data that can inform public health guidelines tailored to Thai communities. The lead applicant will conduct a pilot study aligned with UK co-applicants, generating data which would allow us to apply for larger funding providing much-needed data on how individuals from diverse backgrounds respond to dietary interventions, helping to create more inclusive health recommendations. The potential impact is significant, as this research will improve public health outcomes in Thailand and contribute to global efforts to develop culturally sensitive nutrition guidelines.
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