The Effects of Exercise on Appetite Regulation in Overweight/Obese Individuals
ObesityIn this study the Investigators are examining the effects of a 12-week exercise program (intervention) on measures of appetite and food intake regulation in overweight to mildly obese healthy adults. The Investigators hypothesize that individuals who lose a significant amount of weight in response to the intervention will show a reduction in the brain response to food cues as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) when compared to those who do not lose weight. These changes in neuronal activity will be associated to physiologic and behavioral measures.
Potential Impact of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome on Protein Modifications and Accumulation
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)Insulin Resistance2 moreA goal of this study is to use a novel methodology to determine whether insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is related to the accumulation of proteins with modifications. This could lead to future research to determine if these modifications interfere with their proper function. Additionally, the investigators will determine how protein quality is affected by exercise training. Aerobic exercise enhances the endogenous oxidant buffering systems which may minimize oxidative damage to proteins. The investigators propose that aerobic exercise minimizes the accrual of modified proteins by increasing the synthesis of new proteins, but also by increasing the degradation and removal of old and damaged proteins. Based on our previous studies the investigators observed that insulin affects plasma protein synthesis and aerobic exercise improves insulin sensitivity not only in muscle but also in liver. The investigators therefore propose that aerobic exercise and related increase in insulin sensitivity (and decline in insulin levels) will reduce accumulation of old and modified skeletal muscle and plasma proteins leading to improved function.
The Retroclavicular Approach for Regional Anesthesia of the Upper Limb in Obese Patients
OverweightThe goal of this study is to determine the success rate of the retroclavicular approach for the anesthesia of the upper limb in the obese patient population (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2)
Exercise and Weight Control
OverweightObeseThe purpose of this study is to research the effects of exercise on calories eaten and expended. The investigator expects to find out whether subjects change their eating and activity behaviors when starting an exercise program.
Liver and Fat Regulation in Overweight Adolescent Girls
Hepatic SteatosisPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome1 moreWomen with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have increased rates of hepatic steatosis compared to weight similar women with regular menses. It is unclear if this is related to high testosterone or insulin resistance. The investigators will assess hepatic glucose release, rates of lipolysis and hepatic de novo lipogenesis in the fasted and postprandial state to determine if alterations in the processes contribute to hepatic steatosis. Participants will be overweight, sedentary girls with or without PCOS. Those with PCOS will either be medication naive, or must be taking metformin or combined oral contraceptives (COCPs) for a period of at least 6 months prior to study procedures.
Multiple Dose Safety Toelrability, Pharmacokinetics and Midazolam Interaction In Healthy Overweight...
Diabetes MellitusDiabetes Mellitus2 moreThis study is designed to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of multiple oral 200-mg doses of Pf-05175157 administered twice daily for 14 days in healthy overweight and obese subjects.
Effect of Polyphenol-rich Dark Chocolate on Insulin Sensitivity in Normal Weight and Overweight...
Insulin ResistanceThe purpose of the study is to determine the effect of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate on insulin sensitivity in normal weight and overweight adults.
Body Fat Reducing Effect and Safety of Enzymatically Modified Isoquercitrin in Overweight and Obese...
OverweightObeseThe purpose of this clinical study is to determine the effect and safety of long-term intake of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a natural plant product on body fat loss in obese and overweight individuals.
Effect of Yoghurts Enriched With XXS (Mixture of Natural Polyphenolic Compounds and Plant Extracts)...
ObesityOverweightOverweight and obesity are public health problems worldwide. Even though heredity may be one of the causes the diseases, the vast majority of cases is rather linked to a sedentary lifestyle associated or not with a low-variety, high-calorie diet. Many diets and slimming methods propose low-calorie meals or physical exercise, and the consequences of these are sometimes negative with advancing age (muscle wasting). Certain studies have shown the efficacy of foods with antioxidant properties on the reduction of blood pressure, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and weight or on the distribution of fat mass-lean mass. The investigators put forward the hypothesis that the daily consumption of two yoghurts containing XXS, a mixture of natural polyphenolic compounds -rich in quercetin- from plant extracts, could lead to weight loss, a better fat mass-lean mass distribution and an improvement in markers of oxidative stress in overweight persons aged 50 to 65 years.
Evaluation of the Association Between the Menstrual Cycle and Weight Loss in Healthy, Overweight...
ObesityAchievement and maintenance of weight loss in obese individuals has proven difficult. Many hypotheses have suggested potential biological mechanisms to explain why weight loss attempts often fail, and the surrounding obesogenic environment also seems an obvious candidate. Among the biological factors proposed is gender, and weight loss trials have frequently shown that females are less successful than males at losing weight and at maintaining weight loss. Women's weight is influenced by the menstrual cycle, in which changes in hormonal levels and interactions work to modulate fertility. These hormones control the menstrual cycle and coordinate the required changes in energy intake, expenditure, and storage, whilst preparing the body for pregnancy every month. As reproduction is a primary biological function, these hormones may be such strong mediators of eating behavior that they influence the outcome of a weight loss attempt. The menstrual cycle should therefore be taken into consideration as a factor in the physiology of energy balance in premenopausal women. The cycle can be divided into three phases: menstruation or early follicular phase (days 1-5), late follicular phase that lasts until ovulation (~days 6-14, and the luteal phase (days 15-28). Studies have shown that in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, women's energy intake and energy expenditure are increased and women experience more frequent cravings for foods, particularly those high in carbohydrate and fat, than during the follicular phase. A trend towards reduced carbohydrate utilization and increased fat oxidation in the luteal phase has also been reported, together with prolonged time to exhaustion when exercising at submaximal intensities. This suggests that the potential of the underlying physiology related to each phase of the menstrual cycle may be worth considering as an element in strategies to optimize weight loss. In 2010 the investigators carried out a 90-day randomized, controlled pilot study in order to gain feedback on and assess acceptance of the meal and exercise plans being used and to observe if less control visits than planed in the main study were sufficient to achieve good compliance. Twenty eight were sreened and 24 were included. Subjects were randomized to either program A (given meal and exercise plans in relation to phases of their menstrual cycles) or Program B (a reduced calorie diet, calorie-matched to program A). The pilot study showed that Group A (The Menstralean group) tended to have a greater average weight loss at 60 days (-5.29 vs -3.57 kg, p = 0.06) and 90 days (-4.22 vs -2.75 kgs, p = 0.2) compared to the control groups. There was a dropout rate of 27%. This was primarily due to an inadequate number of control visits and contact with the subjects. Thus the Menstralean program seems to have the potential to enhance weight loss in overweight and obese women. However, the main study has to be carried out with more subjects in each group in a longer duration and with more support and contact with the subjects. The aim of the present trial is to examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on weight loss attempts in healthy overweight (BMI > 27 kg/m2) premenopausal women (18-40 years) randomized to two different weight management programs for a period of 6 months.