Active clinical trials for "Obesity"

Obesity is closely related to metabolic diseases and its prevalence is sharply increasing. However, there is no safe and effective treatment for obesity so far, the investigators need a breakthrough idea to curtail the constant threat of obesity. It has been recently demonstrated that emotional tears of women can modify sexual responses, one of basic instincts, in men. As appetite and food intake is another basic instinct, chemosignals from tears and plasma may modify appetite and eating behavior in humans.

We want to investigate whether the food supplement resveratrol is able to counteract the detrimental effects of obesity.

Several studies have shown that high intensity intermittent sprints (HIIS) are more effective than moderate intensity continuous cycling (MICC) in reducing fat mass and improving insulin resistance in normal weight individuals. Changes in the appetite-regulatory system in response to exercise are likely to explain, at least partially, the better outcome observed after HIIS. Unfortunately, there are no studies comparing the impact of different types of acute aerobic exercise on the release of appetite-regulating hormones, subjective feelings of appetite and subsequent energy intake (EI). The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of acute isocaloric bouts of HIIT and MICC or a short duration sprint, in comparison with a resting control condition, on the postprandial release of appetite-regulating hormones, subjective feelings of appetite and subsequent EI in obese individuals. The investigators hypothesize that an isocaloric session of HIIS will result in a better short-term appetite control compared with MICC, by reducing hunger feelings and subsequent food intake more than MICC and by inducing a larger increase in the release of satiety gut peptides compared with the MICC.

The objective of this study is to test and determine whether a high protein diet is efficacious, safe and beneficial to curtail food intake and body weight in obese adult human patients and to establish whether neurohormonal mechanisms of a high protein diet induce an early signal of fullness or satiety in a relevant experimental model, focusing on activation of gastric vagal afferents.

Tissue kinetics of ertapenem and meropenem in fatty tissue, intraperitoneal fluid and plasma.

Obesity is a major health problem in the US and many Western countries, with more than half of the population being overweight or obese. Yet, despite intense research efforts into the mechanisms underlying obesity and into the development of novel pharmacologic interventions, bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass surgery is the only successful treatment for severe obesity. Mimicking one of the effects of bariatric surgery, e.g. the increased secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) could be an effective strategy against obesity. Obese individuals may be more sensitive to the rewarding aspects of food and less responsive to signals from the gut about actual energy needs. Using functional MRI scanning the investigators plan to examine the effect of Exenatide (a GLP-1 analog known to reduce caloric intake and produce weight loss in both obese and lean individuals) on activity within brain regions/networks involved in reward/motivation and in regulation of energy requirements. The investigators expect the peptide to change the balance between desire to eat for pleasure and the need to eat to maintain homeostasis.

Green tea may have positive effects for weight control and on body composition via several approaches such as a positive effect on the gut flora, a decrease in fat absorption from the intestines and an increase in resting energy expenditure.

The goal of the Minnesota center is to integrate primary care, home, and community-based intervention strategies to promote sustained patterns of change in food intake, physical activity, and body weight among low income, ethnically diverse children. A culturally matched family connector will create linkages among the settings to support parents in making home environment and parenting behavior changes conducive to healthy growth and development in their children. Specific Aim 1 To evaluate the effects of a three-year multi-setting parent-targeted randomized controlled intervention on the primary outcome, child BMI, compared to a standard primary care-only intervention among 500 low income ethnic minority two to four year old children who are at or above the 50th percentile of BMI for age and gender. Hypothesis 1: Children in the multi-setting parent-targeted intervention will have a lower BMI at 24 and 36 months, compared with children in the standard primary care only control group. Specific Aim 2 To evaluate the effects of a three-year multi-setting parent-targeted intervention on secondary outcomes, including change in child energy intake and physical activity energy expenditure, compared to a standard primary care-only intervention. Hypothesis 2: Children in the multi-setting parent-targeted intervention will have lower energy intake and higher energy expenditure over the three-year period, compared with children in the standard primary care-only control group. Specific Aim 3 To evaluate the effects of the multi-setting parent-targeted intervention on hypothesized mediators of change in dietary intake, physical activity, and BMI. Hypothesis 3: It is hypothesized that changes in parenting behaviors and the home food and physical activity environment will mediate changes in child energy intake and expenditure, and body mass index (BMI).

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a lipid infusion can up-regulate toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in human subjects

Today's environment provides many hedonic stimuli that promote consumption of unhealthy energy-dense snack foods. It is widely recognized that a systems approach is required to deal with this complex problem. However, individuals, particularly children, also need to develop the personal capacity to deal with tempting stimuli and inhibit responses to these energy-dense foods. Therefore in this proposal, we will focus on enhancing higher level executive functions, particularly inhibitory control, which is needed to counterbalance impulsive behavior and is crucial for growth and development. We have chosen to focus on developing inhibitory control in preschool-age children because executive functioning/inhibitory control and eating habits are developing at this time. Among preschool-age children, inhibitory control is fostered through social play-based curriculums and has been found to be related to greater school readiness and academic skills. Therefore, the goal of this proposal is to adapt a play-based curriculum, the Tools of the Mind program, to promote greater inhibitory control skills in preschool children and decrease consumption of energy-dense snack foods. In Phase I, we will develop and pilot a Child Inhibitory Control Play-based Program (CHIC Play) among children age 4- to 6-years old. We will adapt the learning tools used in the Tools of the Mind curriculum and employ naturalistic play scenarios, drawings (visual support), and games to teach children to inhibit their responses to energy-dense snack foods. Once developed, we will test the efficacy of CHIC Play in the preschool setting. Parent groups will also be conducted to support the adoption of these skills at home. The primary outcome of interest is caloric intake and age- and gender-adjusted percent of daily caloric intake as measured by the Eating in the Absence of Hunger (EAH) free access procedure and a snack time procedure. Inhibitory control skills will also be measured using executive functioning tasks. Feasibility and acceptability of this program will be determined from parent, child, and teacher surveys. The purpose of this study is to develop a new innovative method of decreasing energy-dense snack food consumption by promoting the development of inhibitory control or impulse control. If successful, this program has the potential to play a role in the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity.