Active clinical trials for "Obesity"

The investigators hypothesize that cardiovascular and metabolic alterations due to obesity already manifest at childhood age. To identify these alterations and risk factors, the investigators have established a cohort of 177 healthy obese and lean control children, age ranging from 6y to 18y, for evaluation of cardiovascular and metabolic parameters, as well as quantification of biomarkers of obesity and inflammation. Follow-up analyses are planned after 2 years (completed) and additionally after 5, 7 and 9 years. In addition, the investigators will assess the effects of increased physical activity and exercise on cardiovascular function.

Previous studies have shown that obese individuals exhibit greater reward-related brain activity in response to food cues than lean individuals and our group has shown that successful weight loss maintainers who were previously obese and now maintain a healthy weight have increased control-related activity when viewing food cues. These findings suggest key roles for both reward-related brain areas and inhibitory control regions in eating behavior. However, no studies to date have examined (a) whether the response to food cues (i.e., cue-reactivity) can be changed in obese individuals, (b) which strategies are most effective at altering brain response to food cues, or (c) the neural mechanisms that support such change. Given the omnipresent environmental cues to eat and the association between heightened reward-responsivity and obesity, it is critical to investigate ways to potentially alter food cue-reactivity in the obese. The most widely employed approach for behavioral weight loss treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which incorporates strategies to control and change cognitions (e.g., avoid desire to eat tempting foods by focusing on something else). This approach is sometimes described as "change- focused" because modifying negative thoughts is assumed to thereby change associated maladaptive emotions and behaviors. Alternatively, emerging evidence suggests Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which teaches participants to recognize and accept their cravings as feelings that need not be acted upon, may also be effective in treating obesity. A third strategy often employed in smoking cessation and substance abuse treatment is to focus on the long-term consequences of behaviors, however this form of treatment is not typically used in behavioral weight loss therapy. Thus although each approach is potentially effective, these treatment approaches differ greatly in the cognitive strategies they employ. The primary aim of the proposed research is to compare a cognitive strategy used in CBT ('CHANGE'), a cognitive strategy emphasized in ACT ('ACCEPT'), and a cognitive strategy used in smoking cessation ('LATER') relative to a control condition ('NOW'), in their effectiveness in altering reward and inhibitory control responses to food cues among obese individuals.

The purpose of this study is to investigate posture dependent small airway obstruction in subjects with obesity, and to study the capacity of FOT as a measurement tool for small airways obstruction.

This study has been designed to investigate if: BMI affects the immunogenicity of influenza and pertussis vaccines given during pregnancy. If pertussis vaccine co-administered with influenza vaccine impacts on the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine. If BMI affects transplacental antibody transfer efficiency following maternal vaccinations.

The purpose of this study is to compare Gastric Bypass and AspireAssist Aspiration Therapy over 5 years of treatment with regards to weight loss, quality of life, complications, adverse events, and health economics.

The objective of this study is to define associations between gut microbiota, SCFAs and obesity in populations spanning the epidemiologic transition, and explore mechanisms by which these factors may independently and collectively influence the development of obesity. The central hypothesis of this study is that the composition of gut microbiota drives SCFA production which in turn influences obesity risk at the population-level.

We showed, for the first time, that Z-score increase during obesity was dependent on sex, severity of obesity and age but also on the bone site. Although the increase in BMD at bearing areas seems to be logically explained by the assumption that mechanical stresses have an osteogenic effect on bone tissue, BMD can in no way respond to the concomitant increase in BMD at non-load bearing areas such as the radius. These results suggest that changes in certain systemic compounds, induced by obesity, may interfere with bone metabolism. Moreover, the fact that the BMD or Z score is positively and only correlated with muscle mass and not with fat mass confirm that mechanical stresses are not the only factors acting on bone tissue. Our objectives are to determine the relationship between plasma concentration of myokines, adipokines, bone markers and BMD in obese subjects.

This study aims to explore the determinants of cognitive impairment among Indonesian geriatrics in an Old Age Home.

Patients referred to Calgary's Alberta Hip & Knee Clinic, while awaiting consultation with an orthopedic surgeon for hip or knee osteoarthritis, will be offered the opportunity to participate in a dietary counseling program with the goal of attaining weight loss prior to surgery. Those patients interested in participating in the program will be offered the opportunity to participate in the research trial.

The main objective of this trial is to assess the clinical usefulness of thyromental height test (TMHT) in prediction of difficult intubation in obese patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures. The secondary aim is to evaluate usefulness of other commonly used predictive tests associated with difficult intubation in obese patients.