
Post Implantation/Post Market Evaluation of the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band
Morbid ObesityThe purpose of the study is to evaluate the long term safety of the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB) in subjects with an SAGB in place. Specifically it is designed to determine the re-operation rate (band revision, band replacement and explants resulting from serious adverse device-related event {SADE}) of gastric banding at 4 and 5 year post implant.

BLOOM-DM: Behavioral Modification and Lorcaserin for Overweight and Obesity Management in Diabetes...
ObesityThe purpose of this study is to assess the weight loss effect of lorcaserin during and at the end of 1 year of treatment in overweight and obese patients with Type II diabetes mellitus treated with metformin, sulfonylurea (SFU), or either agent in combination with other oral hypoglycemic agents.

Low Carbohydrates in Obese Adolescents
ObesityA three arms open,randomized interventional study in order to compare the impact of low carbohydrate diets with different protein and fat ratios versus a standard balanced diet on BMI and metabolic parameters in obese adolescents. 55 obese adolescents (12-18y, BMI > 95th percentile) were randomly allocated to one of three 12-weeks diet regimens: low-carbohydrate low-fat, low-carbohydrate high-fat or balanced low-fat diet, followed by 9-months follow-up. Weight, Height, waist circumference, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, liver enzymes, renal functions, C-reactive protein, leptin, ghrelin and resting energy expenditure were measured in the morning after over-night fast at baseline, during the 12-weeks of intervention and after 9-months of follow-up.

Physical Activity in the Treatment of Obesity
ObesityAlthough exercise is widely regarded as a key component in obesity treatment, few individuals seem able to adhere to exercise programs over time. In response, efforts have focused on developing new approaches to physical activity that may appeal to sedentary overweight persons. For instance, is has been shown that accumulating multiple short bouts of vigorous exercise may enhance both exercise adherence and weight loss in overweight persons. Accumulating moderate-intensity activity throughout the day may offer comparable health and weight benefits as a traditional exercise program. Public health recommendations now include the option of accumulating 30 minutes of moderate-intensity lifestyle activity for health and well-being. While these two options offer a viable alternative to those who dislike or cannot sustain continuous vigorous exercise programs, it is unclear whether the flexibility of accumulating physical activity or the vigorous intensity of the exercise is responsible for improved weight loss and long-term adherence. The goal of this research is to extend our preliminary findings suggesting that moderate intensity lifestyle activity is an important and viable alternative to traditional structured vigorous exercise for obese dieting individuals. The primary specific aim of this project is to compare the effects of three modes of exercise on long-term weight regain. Participants will be 165 overweight men and women who are sedentary, but otherwise healthy. All participants will receive the same 16-week behavioral weight loss program and will be randomized to one of three exercise study conditions: 1) diet-plus-continuous bouts of vigorous aerobic exercise; 2) diet-plus-short bouts of vigorous aerobic exercise accumulated throughout the day; or 3) diet-plus-moderate intensity lifestyle activity accumulated throughout the day. By varying both the intensity and duration of exercise bouts, we can determine which type of exercise is associated with optimal outcomes one year later. Additional questions of interest include: Does mode of exercise influence exercise adherence? Does mode of exercise improve cardiovascular risk profiles similarly in all three conditions? Does mode of exercise influence changes in body composition? Does mode of exercise influence exercise enjoyment and exercise self-efficacy?

Maintenance-Tailored Obesity Treatment
ObesityThis study is a randomized clinical trial comparing state-of-the-art, standard behavior therapy for weight loss (SBT) with a maintenance tailored treatment (MTT) with varied behavioral prescriptions, goals, and formats over time. The overall hypothesis in the study is that the two treatment approaches will show different patterns of weight loss over time, and in particular that the MTT approach would be associated with better long-term maintenance of weight loss.

The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis as an Effector System in Weight Regulation
ObesityAddison's DiseaseReplacing glucocorticoid in a dose dependent manner (including doses within the physiological range) to subjects with adrenal insufficiency will increase visceral fat accumulation independently of total fat mass.

Compare Effects of a Soluble Fiber on Weight and Blood Cholesterol
ObesityObesity and type 2 diabetes have clearly been linked together and identified as epidemics in much of the developed world. Historically several different dietary fibers have been used as means of reducing body weight and the related development of type 2 diabetes. These studies have generated mixed, if not inconsistent, results suggesting that none of these fibers promise a solution to either of these two conditions. We are proposing to investigate the effects of including a new soluble fiber, a-cyclodextrin, FBCx® (to be called Y288 in this study), into the diet of adult overweight volunteers.

Comparison of Weight Loss Programs for Individuals With Severe Obesity
ObesityWeight LossThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a technology-based system (the Body Media FIT system) for enhancing weight loss in severely obese individuals (BMI: ≥ 40 kg/m2). The investigators will compare two 6-month interventions: 1) a standard behavioral weight loss program (SBT) and 2) a standard behavioral weight loss program plus the use of the Body Media FIT system (SBT+FIT). The Body Media® FIT system is a novel weight loss tool consisting of an armband that measures energy expenditure, a digital display watch that provides "real time" physical activity and energy expenditure feedback, and access to a system website which allows individuals to track their food intake and set exercise and dietary goals. We will examine differences in physical activity, weight loss, and program adherence between groups.

Maintenance After Initiation of Nutrition TrAINing
ObesityObesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States and is associated with a wide range of diseases. In people who are obese, weight loss improves blood pressure, dyslipidemia, glycemia, and arthritis symptoms; reduces medication use for several disease processes; increases physical functioning; and enhances health-related quality of life. The current study evaluated a theoretically informed maintenance intervention. If effective, this intervention could reduce the need for future clinic visits to treat obesity and its many associated illnesses.

Reducing Snack Variety in Weight Loss Treatment
ObesityThe rising prevalence of obesity in the United States is believed to be due to increased exposure to adverse environmental factors, such as food portion sizes and increased dietary variety. Although decreasing portion sizes is a strategy used in weight loss programs, research has not studied the effects of decreasing dietary variety. Cross-sectional studies show a positive association between variety and body weight and in our own studies the investigators have shown that greater reductions in the number of different snack foods (i.e., cookies, chips) consumed predicted greater decreases in overall caloric and fat intake and greater weight loss. Limiting variety may reduce intake through long-term sensory-specific satiety and/or monotony. Reducing dietary variety is a novel dietary approach with the potential to improve long-term weight loss, which has not been studied as a clinical strategy in obesity research. The objective of this application is to conduct a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral weight loss intervention limiting the number of different snack foods consumed. Two hundred overweight and obese participants will be randomized to a standard behavioral intervention (Standard) or to a standard behavioral intervention that also limits the number of different snack foods consumed (Limited Variety). Both conditions will receive an 18-month standard behavioral intervention, using behavioral techniques (i.e., self-monitoring) to change eating behaviors. Participants in the Limited Variety condition will also limit variety in snack foods to only two chosen snack foods throughout the intervention. Measures of weight, snack food consumption and hedonics, and diet satisfaction will be taken at 0, 6, 12, and 18 months. This investigation will determine: if the Limited Variety condition produces greater weight loss than the Standard condition at 18 months; if the Limited Variety condition consumes fewer servings and calories from snack foods than the Standard condition; if limiting snack food variety produces long-term sensory-specific satiety and/or monotony. Relevance: Experimental studies show that limiting dietary variety profoundly reduces intake. To date, there is no dietary prescription that has been tested that capitalizes on the effect of variety on intake that can be maintained. This will be the first investigation to examine methods of manipulating dietary variety that can be adhered to over time and that influence intake, weight loss, and weight loss maintenance.