Our previous work demonstrates that the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30kg/m2) amongst patients with CHC is 28.8%, over twice the prevalence in the Canadian population, and the presence of obesity is independently associated with viremia (positive HCV-RNA). Obesity promotes hepatic fibrosis progression and is independently associated with IR in non-cirrhotic CHC; the prevalence of IR increases with higher BMI in CHC. Insulin resistance can be reversed if viral clearance is achieved; however loss of IR is less likely to occur in the obese even if they have cleared the virus. Obesity and IR are associated with non-response to antiviral therapy. Whilst IR has been improved with the use of metformin in patients with CHC, this was ineffective in increasing rates of response to antiviral treatment. The aims of our study are: