Body composition of young male rats fed on diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour on the body composition of rats. Design/methodology/approach Weanling male rats were divided into Control (n = 11) and experimental groups (Taro, n = 12); experimental rats were fed on taro for 90 days. Food intake, body mass and length were evaluated on a weekly basis. Body composition was assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and intra abdominal fat mass was measured at the end of 90 days. Findings Taro group recorded protein intake (55.5 +/- 14.1 vs 43.8 +/- 12.8 kcal, P < 0.009), body mass (between 40 and 90 days, P < 0.05), fat mass (147.3 +/- 7.7 vs 99 +/- 6.1 g, P < 0.001), lean mass (282.8 +/- 4 vs 253.5 +/- 7 g, P < 0.001), trunk fat mass (97.1 +/- 7.7 vs 71.5 +/- 4.1 g, P < 0.010), as well as intra-abdominal (31.3 +/- 1.9 vs 21.1 +/- 1.7 g, P < 0.001), epididymal (9.2 +/- 0.8 vs 4.7 +/- 0.5 g, P < 0.001) and retroperitoneal (14.2 +/- 0.9 vs 8.8 +/- 1.2 g, P < 0.002) fat mass higher than that of the Control group. Originality/value Taro flour would show anabolic effects on body compartments of rats. The extrapolation of these findings herein recorded for rats to humans requires caution; however, it is necessary conducting further studies to investigate potentials anabolic effects of taro (Colocacia esculenta) flour on the body composition of physical training models.