Active clinical trials for "Obesity"

Obese persons are known to have elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and low levels of vitamin D. These hormones are important in regulation of the body's calcium stores and bone health. We would like to investigate these abnormalities and the accuracy of our current diagnostic tests by comparing results of standard assays for vitamin D and PTH to more specific tests, in obese subjects at baseline and as vitamin D is replaced. We will also compare two standard vitamin D replacement regimens to determine if one is more effective. This is a pilot study with two parts: Part 1 will compare levels of PTH and vitamin D using two different assays in obese subjects who have normal vitamin D and those who do not. We plan to enroll 20 subjects who have normal vitamin D levels and 40 subjects who have vitamin D insufficiency. All subjects will fill out questionnaires about the amount of calcium and vitamin D in their diet, and their recent sunlight exposure. We will ask for blood samples so that we can measure levels of calcium, vitamin D, albumin, creatinine, glucose, insulin and the different forms of PTH. Subjects who have vitamin D insufficiency will then be randomized to receive Vitamin D2 or Vitamin D3 in standard doses for eight weeks, in an open label trial. At four and eight weeks, these subjects will fill out the above questionnaires and have the blood tests repeated. For safety purposes, urine calcium will also be monitored.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) designed to help obese patients lose weight and to maintain their weight losses over time. It is hypothesized that CBT will result in greater sustained weight loss.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of sibutramine on weight loss, reduction in body size and improvement in metabolic risk factors and safety in obese adolescents.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of a low and high dose of conjugated linoleic acid supplement on body composition in obese humans. Individuals with a body mass index between 30 and 35kg/m2 are randomized to receive either placebo, 3.2gCLA, or 6.4g CLA daily for twelve weeks. Changes in body composition, weight, and clinical laboratory values are compared between the three groups.

Control of food intake, size and frequency of meals are critical to the development of obesity. The stomach signals feelings of fullness after a meal and therefore plays a role in control of calorie intake. It is unclear whether the approved appetite reducing drug sibutramine changes the function of the stomach. Differences in the way individuals respond to treatment with the appetite suppressant sibutramine may also explain why some people lose weight while others do not. This single center clinical study aims to compare functions of the stomach in healthy, overweight and obese individuals, and to evaluate the effects of the FDA-approved appetite suppressing medication sibutramine on weight loss and stomach functions in patients who are overweight or obese. The effect of individual differences in inherited genes on weight reduction with sibutramine will be tested.

The current study examined the effectiveness of a behaviorally-based group intervention for overweight children and their families. The target intervention was compared to an enhanced standard of care treatment. The impact of both treatment programs on numerous outcomes was explored.

Project STORY (Sensible Treatment of Obesity in Rural Youth) will entail a three-arm randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of interventions designed to promote successful weight management in an important population, overweight children and their parents in medically underserved, rural settings. The current feasibility study will provide pilot data to develop and support a full-scale trial that will be implemented across multiple rural counties. In this pilot program, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two, 4-month long intervention programs that will be delivered in rural communities through Cooperative Extension Offices, or to a Wait List Control (WLC) group. The Behavioral Family-Based Intervention (BFI) will involve simultaneous, but separate treatment groups for both the child and their parent(s). The Behavioral Parent-Based Intervention (BPI) will involve groups for only the parent(s). Both programs will take a behavioral lifestyle approach to gradually modify dietary and physical activity patterns. The aims of the trial and its principal hypotheses are listed below. AIMS: Evaluate the effects on child's standardized body mass index (BMI-z) of BPI and BFI delivered via group contacts to overweight children and/or their overweight parents in rural counties. Examine changes in children's dietary intake, physical activity, self-esteem, and body image. Compare the cost-effectiveness of the BPI and BFI. Evaluate the effects of the BPI and BFI on parent BMI.

PURPOSE Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. Severe obesity, known as "morbid obesity", is defined as being 100 pounds in excess of ideal body weight. Nonsurgical treatments for morbid obesity include exercise, dietary restriction, behavior modification, and pharmacological intervention. However, it is estimated that most patients undergoing nonsurgical treatments for weight reduction will regain their weight within 2 to 4 years after treatment. According to the NIH consensus conference in 1991, surgery remains the only effective sustained weight loss treatment for morbid obesity. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP) is currently considered the gold standard bariatric surgical operation. Mean weight loss following GBP is approximately 65% of the excess body weight during the first 12 to 18 months postoperatively. Long-term weight loss is in the range of 55-70% of excess body weight loss. Recently, the laparoscopic approach to GBP was reported. Wittgrove and colleagues reported their results of 75 patients who underwent laparoscopic GBP and demonstrated significant short-term advantages with comparable weight loss and reversal of comorbidities compared to the open approach. However, GBP might it be done laparoscopic or open approach can potentially be associated with significant morbidity and mortality such as anastomotic leak, pulmonary embolism, bowel obstruction, and postoperative stricture. The FDA recently approved the laparoscopic adjustable banding system (LAP-BAND) for use in the United States in June 2001. The LAP-BAND system is a device designed to induce weight loss in severely obese patients. It is surgically placed around the proximal stomach to create a small proximal stomach pouch and restricted opening, or stoma, through which passage of food will be slowed. An inflatable portion along the inner aspect of the band is connected to an access port, placed intramuscularly. This enabled stoma adjustments to be made without the need for further surgery. The advantages of the LAP-BAND system included no cutting or opening of the stomach wall, ability to adjust the stoma and a technically easier operation to perform than laparoscopic GBP. We wanted to evaluate if the LAP-BAND procedure is as effective as the laparoscopic GBP procedure for treatment of morbid obesity.

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of three different methods for delivering weight management information. Two methods utilize an obesity drug and the third method utilizes brief behavioral counseling sessions only.

The purpose of this study is to compare two Internet-based behavioral weight loss programs.