The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of cumin extract on body mass index, appetite, insulin resistance index and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α, zinc alpha 2 glycoprotein and lipid profile in children and adolescents with obesity. Inclusion criteria are as follows: children and adolescents aged 7-12 years old with BMI above 95th percentile for their age and gender, absence of liver, kidney, digestive, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases and acute or chronic infections, not using drugs especially those that affect obesity like metformin and herbal supplements. Exclusion criteria are as follows: unwillingness to participate or continue the intervention, necessity to use medications that influence obesity or lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, affected by diabetes, thyroid disorders or other endocrine, digestive or kidney disorders, appearance of incompatibility or allergy to cumin extract.
Study population: 80 children and adolescents aged 7-12 years old which are randomly assigned to two groups receiving either cumin extract or placebo each group containing 40 subjects. Intervention consists of cumin extract prescribed as pearl capsules produced by Barij Essence Co. (Iran), two capsules each day (1 capsule before lunch and 1 capsule efore dinner) for two months. Placebo is prescribes simultaneously.