Active clinical trials for "Obesity"

Obesity is associated with dyslipidemia, which is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol are transported in the system of lipoproteins, and the metabolism of these lipids in plasma is closely interrelated. Evidence suggests that increased concentration of very low-density lipoprotein triglyceride (VLDL-TG) is a central pathophysiological feature of the lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities in dyslipidemia. The primary objective of this study is to investigate VLDL-TG kinetics and hepatic insulin sensitivity in age-matched obese and lean, healthy men in the postabsorptive state and during acute hyperinsulinemia using VLDL-TG and glucose tracers.

This is a feasibility study to evaluate a 6-month obesity treatment intervention (Helping HAND: Health Activity and Nutrition Directions) for pediatric primary care clinics. The program targets 5-8 year old children and their parents to change the child's lifestyle behaviors and the associated parenting practices to improve the child's weight status. Four community clinics participated. Families were recruited from clinics and after informed consent and baseline data have been obtained, the families were randomized into one of two groups: (1) the treatment group who immediately participated in Helping HAND or (2) the wait list control group, who started the program 7 months later. Data were gathered on all the participating children and their parents at three time points: baseline, post the intervention (month 7) and post the wait list control group completing the intervention (month 14). This was a pilot study to test the feasibility of an obesity prevention plus program delivered in the child's primary care clinic. The primary outcome was family attendance to the 3 data-collection meetings with research staff and the 6 prevention plus intervention sessions with a trained Health Advisor.

One in three Americans are obese. Obese subjects may or may not need higher doses of the anti-flu drug known as Tamiflu (oseltamivir). The current study is being done to see if the FDA approved dose of oseltamivir will achieve similar concentrations in obese healthy volunteers compared to that previously shown in non-obese volunteers.

The purpose of this study is to see how hormones that control blood sugar change in response to two different weight loss surgeries (gastric bypass and gastric banding). We believe that changes in a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) may account for the greater improvement in blood sugar after certain types of surgeries. GLP-1 makes the pancreas release insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar. The study will consist of one screening visit and three study visits in which the glucose response will be measured after drinking a liquid meal: 1) Visit 1 (2-3 weeks before surgery); 2) Visit 2 (after 10% of body weight is lost); and 3) Visit 3 (5-10 days after Visit 2). Hormone levels will be measured during the three study visits. To see if the improvement in blood sugar after surgery is due to changes in GLP-1, we will block its effect on insulin release by giving either salt water or a medication that blocks the activity of GLP-1 during the two visits that take place after surgery (Visits 2 and 3).

Overweight and obesity are highly significant clinical and public health issues, affecting more than two-thirds of adults in this country; however, primary care clinicians often do not document overweight or obesity or discuss weight management with their patients. The objectives of the proposed research are to develop and evaluate a set of tools within electronic health records (EHRs) to assist primary care clinicians with the diagnosis and treatment of overweight and obesity and to help patients manage their weight.

CD163 is a membrane bound receptor primary expressed in monocytes and macrophages. A soluble variant of CD163 (sCD163) is present in plasma and is elevated in pathological condition activating the monocyte-macrophage system. Recently sCD163 is associated with various inflammatory conditions, ex. adipose tissue inflammation and very recently to be a rather strong predictor of the development of type 2-diabetes. Only a subset of obese individuals develops insulin resistance, type 2-diabetes and related diseases. These healthy obese subjects are characterized of less adipose tissue inflammation and less insulin resistance as compared to unhealthy obese individuals. Consequently it would be of great importance to develop markers that could discriminate between healthy and unhealthy obese subjects. Aim: To investigate whether macrophage CD163 is involved in adipose tissue inflammation in obesity and thereby to the metabolic complications of metabolic syndrome. To investigate how sCD163 is regulated by metabolic factors such as obesity, fat distribution, weight loss and diet. Methods: Intervention study. 45 morbidly obese subject approved to gastric by-pass. Blood samples, MR-spectroscopy, DXA, weight control and fat biopsy are taken before and 12 month after surgery. Correlations studies: to investigate the influence of diet and weight loss on CD163 and sCD163. Perspective: To study the role of macrophages infiltration and activation for adipose tissue inflammation and to determine whether the macrophage marker, s-CD163, together with other markers will be able better to identify obese individuals who are at increased risk for developing complications such as diabetes

Background: - Stereophotogrammetry (SP) uses four sets of digital cameras to generate a three-dimensional computer image. Unlike other types of evaluations which require radiation, SP only uses computer images to learn more about physical deformities such as scoliosis or about the placement of fat on the body. To refine the SP process, researchers are interested in collecting images and body data from individuals with skeletal structural problems such as scoliosis or chest wall deformities, individuals who are overweight or obese, and healthy volunteers. Objectives: - To use stereophotogrammetry to study different individual body types and refine existing imaging techniques. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 2 years of age who have spine, rib, or chest wall deformities; are overweight or obese (body mass index greater than 25); or are healthy volunteers. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical examination and medical history. The physical examination will include measurements of range of motion and joint mobility, torso width and length, and other observational data. Healthy volunteers and participants in the obesity group will also have bioelectric spectroscopy (bioimpedance), which uses an additional machine to measure how fat is spread in different parts of the body. After the physical examination has been completed, participants will have SP photographs taken. Participants will be asked to remove all clothing from the torso, stand with arms raised at the center of four cameras, and remain still while several images are taken. A complete image takes less than 1 second. Participants with spine or rib deformities, or who are in the obesity group, may also volunteer to return for followup SP imaging, once a year for 5 years, to study progress over time.

It is known that a vast majority of patients seeking a bariatric surgery weight reduction procedure have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while a smaller subset of patients within this group have a more serious liver problem known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a serious liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and ultimately liver transplantation. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of bariatric surgery on the progression of NASH. The investigators also hope to gain insight into which genes may be responsible for the development of NAFLD and NASH. The knowledge gained from this study will advance the field of fatty liver disease and help design rational treatments to prevent disease progression.

The bariatric surgery is widely used to treat obesity. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is one of the most frequently surgical methods performed and combines restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. Different data suggest that this surgery may modify drug absorption and we think it would be clinically relevant to describe the consequences of gastric bypass on drug systemic exposure in obese patients, since no data on the comparison between the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a drug before and after surgery are available and help to predict the drugs posology.The investigators decided to study the morphine because there is a lack of information about the PK, pharmacodynamics (PD) et pharmacogenetics (PG) of morphine in obese subjects, in contrary with anaesthetic drugs. This is a drug with a narrow therapeutic range frequently prescribed in obese patients.

Latino children in the United States have an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese. Previous studies have suggested that parental behaviors are an important influence on children's weight, but more research is needed on the types of behaviors that may contribute to obesity specifically among Latino children. The purpose of this study is to examine the connection between family eating habits and behaviors and obesity among Mexican-American children.