Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Watermelon on Gut and Cardiometabolic Health

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of daily fresh watermelon consumption for 6-weeks on gut health, including microbiome diversity, gut barrier and immune function in young adults with overweight and obesity. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Will consuming fresh watermelon daily for 6-weeks will improve intestinal barrier health and increase microbiome diversity such as an increased population of beneficial 'probiotic' bacteria when compared to control participants consuming a low-fat snack? 2. Will consuming fresh watermelon daily for six-weeks will improve other health measures, including body-composition, blood pressure, blood vessel function, blood lipid profiles, and measures of inflammation, as compared to control participants consuming a low-fat snack for the same time period?

Brain and Behavior Influences on Obesity Development From Infancy Through Childhood

The investigators project, RESONATE, aims to investigate why some children develop obesity. To do this it uses data on eating and eating-related behaviors, genetic and environmental factors, and brain structure and function. This data is collected in a sub-sample of RESONANCE, a large study of families of children from infancy through childhood. The results will lay foundations for the development of early interventions to prevent or treat obesity.

Implementation Facilitation of Exercise is Medicine Greenville

A public health priority exists for the U.S. healthcare sector to integrate physical activity (PA) as a part of the patient care model. This research will provide valuable information on facilitating optimal implementation of a clinic-to-community model that identifies, refers, and enrolls physically inactive patients to community-based PA programs for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Further, this work will provide evidence on the cost-effectiveness of integrating PA in healthcare systems as a population health management strategy.

Safety and Efficacy of NA-931 and Tirzepatide in Adults Who Are Overweight or Obese

A phase 2 study to assess the efficacy of NA-931 alone or in addition to Tirzepatide to assess efficacy and safety in overweight or obese men and women

"Improving Health and Reducing Chronic Disease Risk in Middle-Aged Adults Through Nutrition"

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of a multifactorial lifestyle intervention combining Mediterranean diet, energy reduction and physical activity on weight loss in middle-aged adults (men and women 30-50 years old) with metabolic syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is a multifactorial intervention based on Mediterranean diet, energy reduction and physical activity able to promote weight loss maintenance in middle-aged men and women with metabolic syndrome? syndrome? Which are the sociodemographic barriers to adhere to a multifactorial lifestyle intervention to promote cardiometabolic health? How is the lifestyle pattern of middle-aged Spanish adults with metabolic Researchers will compare a multifactorial lifestyle intervention combining Mediterranean diet, energy reduction and physical activity to a control intervention based on usual primary healthcare to see if the intervention improve cardiometabolic traits and promote weight loss maintenance after 1 year. Participants in the intervention arm will be asked to follow an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet plus a physical activity program with the aim of reducing 5-10% of the initial weight in 6 months and of maintaining the weight lost after 1 year o follow-up.

CHIME: Comparing Health Interventions for Maternal Equity

The goal of this comparative effectiveness trial is to compare how three different approaches to overcome barriers to resources and provide nutrition and physical activity counseling improve maternal healthy weight in pregnancy and postpartum. The main question it aims to answer is which of the two multi-level, multi-component interventions has greater effectiveness in reducing maternal postpartum weight retention at 12-months postpartum. Hypothesis (primary): Both multi-level, multi-component interventions will have greater effectiveness reducing maternal postpartum weight retention at 12-months postpartum than the usual care group. Hypothesis (secondary): The community-based intervention will have greater effectiveness than the self-management intervention. Participants will be asked to participate in one of the study interventions from early pregnancy until 12 months postpartum and complete five research visits. General procedures include completion of: * Questionnaires * Dietary recalls * In-depth interviews * Anthropometric measurements * Collection of blood via finger stick or blood panel

A Study of MET233 in Individuals With Obesity or Overweight

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of once-weekly subcutaneous injections of MET233 in otherwise healthy adults with overweight or obesity. The trial will be conducted in three parts. Part A consists of single ascending dose (SAD) cohorts of MET233 or placebo. Part B consists of multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohorts, with participants treated with five once-weekly doses of MET233 or placebo. In Part C, participants will receive once-weekly doses of MET233 or placebo for 12 weeks, followed by a single higher, potential monthly dose.

Advancing Biopsychosocial Care Training Initiative

This project will compare two training approaches for US Preventive Services Task Force recommended obesity care in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) across four aims. Aim 1 compares patient-level effectiveness \[i.e., patient relative weight change and the proportion of patients who achieve clinically significant weight loss\]. Aim 2 compares reach (patient treatment utilization). Aim 3 compares primary care provider (PCP) referrals to USPSTF-recommended care at 12 (adoption) and 24 months (maintenance) and short- and long-term changes in provider obesity care competencies . Aim 4 compares implementation and service costs.

A Mobile Intervention to Reduce Pain and Improve Health-III

The experience of chronic pain powerfully and negatively affects quality of life and functional independence in aging. Unfortunately, while as many as three in four older adults experience chronic pain, few have access to effective non-pharmacological pain management strategies. Participating in regular physical activity, avoiding sustained sitting, and maintaining a healthy weight are important and interrelated lifestyle inputs to chronic pain, and socially rich behavioral interventions informed by contemporary theories of behavior change appear important for engaging in activity and healthy eating in the long term. Our group has demonstrated in a series of Stage I trials that a group-mediated behavioral intervention combining dietary behavior change and a physical activity program focused on moving often throughout the day contributes to meaningful weight loss, and lasting weight maintenance, with pilot data suggesting this may contribute to improved pain, physical function, and health-related quality of life among older adults with chronic pain. As these were NIH Stage I trials, there are several important gaps to be addressed in the present trial: (1) both studies of chronic pain recruited small samples and were 12 weeks in duration, limiting our ability to establish efficacy and the durability of changes to activity, HRQOL, and pain outcomes; (2) participants included anyone with chronic pain, regardless of pain type, a likely contributor to heterogeneous pain intensity and interference findings; and (3) the investigators have yet to examine behavioral maintenance. The overarching goal of the proposed Stage II "mobile intervention to reduce pain and improve health-III (MORPH-III)" is to establish the efficacy of the intervention for enhancing physical activity via steps (primary), and for reducing pain interference and body weight while enhancing physical function (secondary) among older adults with chronic knee or hip osteoarthritic (OA) pain. The investigators will recruit 200 older adults with knee or hip osteoarthritic pain to engage in a 6-month remotely delivered intervention comprising weekly group or individual intervention meetings plus brief individual goal-setting coaching calls. This will be followed by a 12-month no-contact maintenance period, where participants will attempt to sustain behavioral goals on their own. The Specific Aims are: Specific Aim 1: To examine the impact of MORPH on ActivPAL-assessed daily steps relative to an enhanced usual care control. Hypotheses: MORPH will significantly increase steps relative to control at month 6. Specific Aim 2: To examine the impact of MORPH on pain interference, change in body weight, and physical function relative to the enhanced usual care control. Hypotheses: MORPH will result in significant reductions in pain interference and body weight and improvement in physical function relative to control at month 6. Exploratory Aims: Aim 1: To investigate the impact of the MORPH intervention on steps, weight change, pain interference, and physical function at month 18. Aim 2: If the MORPH intervention results in reduced pain interference at 6 and/or 18 months, the investigators will examine the extent to which 6-month change in steps, weight, pain self-efficacy, and catastrophizing mediate change in interference at 6 and/or 18 months.

Efficacy and Safety of MET097 Once-Weekly in People With Overweight or Obesity

This study investigates the efficacy and safety of once weekly injectable MET097 in adult participants with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities excluding T2D. This trial will last for a duration of 84 weeks. The primary endpoint will be assessed after 64 weeks of treatment with the secondary at 84 weeks.

A Phase 1 Study of WVE-007 in Adults Living With Overweight or Obesity

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of WVE-007 when administered subcutaneously (SC) as single ascending doses in adults who are affected by overweight or obesity.

The Efficacy and Safety of Efsubaglutide Alfa Injection in Overweight and Obese Subjects (ENLIGHT)

This study is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIb/III clinical trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and immunogenicity profile of Efsubaglutide Alfa injection in overweight and obese subjects. The primary endpoint of the Phase IIb is the percentage change in body weight from baseline after 18 weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint of the Phase III is the percentage change in body weight from baseline after 30 weeks of treatment, the secondary endpoint is the percentage change in body weight from baseline after a cumulative 48 weeks of treatment.

New Mechanisms of Obesity

Given the pervasiveness of Pediatric Obesity, it is imperative to understand its pathophysiology and develop alternative strategies to reverse this condition. Herein, investigators propose to elucidate the interaction between colonic fermentation and insulin resistance in modulating metabolism in youth with obesity.

Time-Restricted Eating in Menopause and HOrmone-sensitive Breast Cancers (TREMHO)

This study is aimed at women currently going through menopause, either as part of the natural process (physiological menopause), or following hormonal treatment for breast cancer. There are several ways of slowing the weight gain frequently encountered in this situation, reducing the intensity of menopause-related symptoms and improving quality of life in this context. In this trial, the investigators examine the efficacy and possible adverse effects of intermittent fasting compared with a control intervention. Participation lasts 14 weeks, with an optional 12-month follow-up. Study participants are randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. In the intervention group, study participants fast for 16 hours per day and eat over a period of 8 hours (intermittent fasting often called time-restricted eating \[TRE\] 16h/8h). In the control group, the usual eating pattern is continued for 12 weeks. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of TRE in terms of weight and fat loss, improvement in metabolic profile, menopausal symptoms and bone health. In addition, the study team closely monitors any adverse effects.

Development of an Inclusive Adaptive Treatment Strategy for Weight Loss in People With Prediabetes Using a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial

This is a sub-study to NCT04745572 to include a new cohort of participants with disabilities. This 16-week study will use an experimental approach called the Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial to help determine which combination and sequence of weight loss program features are most effective in people who are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Participants in the study will be initially randomized to consume either a high or reduced carbohydrate diet. After 4 weeks, participants will be identified as Responders (greater than or equal to 2.5% weight loss) or Non-Responders (less than 2.5% weight loss). Responders will continue with their initial randomized group for the remainder of the trial. Non-responders will be re-randomized to 2nd stage interventions of either including additional exercise counseling and training or beginning a time restricted eating protocol for the remainder of the trial.

Targeted Precision Nutrition Strategy To Prevent Chronic Metabolic Diseases

Nutrition is very important to keep blood sugar levels balanced. If blood sugar levels are too high, it can lead to diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Therefore, adjusting what one eats, also called a diet or nutritional intervention, can help prevent these diseases. However, not everyone responds the same to a diet. In about 30% of people, a diet does not work as hoped. This can be due to various reasons, such as a person's metabolism, genetic predisposition, the composition of the food one eats, or the bacteria in the intestines. Everyday things like sleep, stress, and movement also play a role. The investigators used a computer model to classify people with overweight and obesity into groups based on these factors. The investigators call such a group a 'Metabolic Phenotype', or in short 'Metabotype'. Based on the Metabotype, a personalised diet was developed (personalised nutrition intervention) that may better suit each person's unique situation. The investigators hypothesize that a precision nutrition intervention, tailored to Metabotypes identified through unsupervised clustering (using the aforementioned computer model) of predefined, accurate features related to cardiometabolic health-specifically, tissue-specific glucose and lipid metabolism and detailed body composition-will enhance blood glucose homeostasis, reduce cardiometabolic risk, and improve adherence to the intervention and mental well-being, compared to population-based dietary guidelines. The present project will contribute to targeted and efficient precision-based dietary strategies for individuals at increased risk of T2DM.

Evaluation of Anterior Neck Ultrasound in Predicting Difficult Airway in Obese Patients

Obese patients are at increased risk of difficult airway management due to anatomical changes in the anterior neck soft tissues. Accurate preoperative prediction of difficult airway remains challenging using conventional clinical airway assessment tests alone. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the role of ultrasound assessment of anterior neck soft tissue thickness in predicting difficult airway risk in overweight and obese adult patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. Ultrasound-based anterior neck measurements will be compared with standard clinical airway assessment parameters to determine their diagnostic accuracy for difficult laryngoscopy and intubation. The results of this study may contribute to improved preoperative airway risk stratification and safer airway management in obese patients.

Impact of Chia Seeds on Human Breast Milk Composition

The investigators' over-arching hypothesis is that mechanical and compositional properties of chia seeds supplemented during lactation diminish obesity-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction. The investigators hypothesize these changes will result in: 1) reduced maternal systemic inflammation (serum CRP and IL-6) and increased gut microbial diversity and richness, 2) reduced HM fat and inflammatory markers, metrics the research team have demonstrated differ in tandem with maternal metabolic health and 3) improved infant growth/body composition. To test these hypotheses, investigators will evaluate chia seed supplementation during lactation in a 6wk multi-site pilot RCT (Aim 1) and through translational studies using human enteroids (Aim 2).

Palmitic Acid and Human Microvascular Function

The goal of this study is to learn how a supplement Quercetin can affect microvascular function. Participants will: * give two blood draws of 5 mL each * have a camera placed under the tongue to take pictures of blood vessels * have 2 laser Doppler microdialysis catheters placed on the forearm to monitor blood vessels before and after local drug infusion Researchers will compare blood vessel function of those who take estrogen supplements to those who do not.

Comparision of Aerobic Exercise to Aerobic Plus Yoga Exercise for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding yoga exercise to a behavioral weight loss intervention improves weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity. It will also provide information about whether this approach to weight loss has additional benefits on other health and fitness measurements. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is there a difference in weight loss between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in how much physical activity is completed between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in the change in body composition (fat mass, lean body mass) between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in the change in cardiorespiratory fitness the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in the change in muscle strength between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in the change in resting blood pressure between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in the change in food intake or eating behaviors between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in the change in feelings of stress or mood between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in the change in sleep between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? * Is there a difference in the change in mindfulness between the behavioral program that includes aerobic exercise plus yoga compared to the behavioral program that includes only aerobic exercise? Participants will: * Participate in a weight loss program for a period of 12 months that involves attending behavioral weight loss sessions. This involves coming to a session at the research center weekly for the initial 6 months and then every other week for the remaining 6 months. * Attempt to reduce the amount of food that they eat to reduce the calories they consume. * Participate in a combination of aerobic exercise plus yoga or just aerobic exercise. * Keep a record of the food they consume, use a digital scale provided to them, and wear an activity tracker provided to them for the period of 12 months. * Visit the clinical before starting the weight loss program, after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months to complete measurements of their weight and other measurements to monitor their progress. * Complete exercise sessions in the clinic between weeks 2-6, at month 6, and at month 12 to provide information about how they response to a single session of exercise.

Adaptation of Human Brown Adipose Tissue to Calorie Restriction

The BATON study investigates how human brown adipose tissue (BAT) adapts to a controlled caloric restriction diet in young adults with obesity. A weight maintenance diet group will be compared to a group following a diet designed to induce an 8-10% weight loss over a 12-16 week period. Outcome assessments will include advanced technologies such as PET-CT and molecular analyses of BAT. The overarching goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the role of human BAT on the regulation of body weight.

Metabotyping of Broccoli Microgreen in Obese Breast Cancer Survivors

Obesity can pose significant challenges to maintaining long-term health in cancer survivors by increasing their risk of cancer coming back. Eating a healthy diet is an important way to help manage weight and improve overall health. Broccoli microgreens (BMG) are young broccoli plants packed with nutrients, and research suggests they may help prevent cancer. Previous studies in mice showed that BMG can improve gut health and metabolism, leading to better health outcomes in obese animals. This study will test whether BMG can be a useful addition to the diet of obese breast cancer (BC) survivors who have a higher risk of their cancer returning. 24 obese BC survivors will be invited to eat one serving (one cup, \~57 gram) of fresh BMG every day for two weeks. This will help understand if people can stick to this diet, how their bodies respond, and whether it affects metabolism and inflammation-two key factors linked to cancer risk. Biological markers such as body fat, glucose and lipids as well as gut bacterial changes will be analyzed to see how BMG affects individual health. This study may help create new diet strategies to improve health, reduce cancer risk, and support long-term recovery in cancer patients who are overweight or obese. In the future, this research could help doctors personalize nutrition plans to better support cancer survivors.

BrainWeighve App Feasibility Study

Childhood obesity within the United States has been a growing concern over the past number of years, and if not addressed, leads to detrimental health outcomes for youth as they move into adulthood. The literature suggests that over-eating, especially when framed in terms of food addiction, plays a key role in this epidemic; however, treatment options are time intensive, posing a profound logistical barrier for both the child and parent and often limits or prevents engagement. As research within the field of mHealth has grown, technology-based interventions have gained traction, specifically interactive smartphone applications (apps). Displacement theory, although not new, has been understudied yet provides a strong explanation and treatment plan for addictive type behaviors. The core of this theory posits that problems which one feels they cannot face nor avoid leads to repetitive and irrepressible behaviors; however, if a healthy coping behavior can be learned and utilized, then the unhealthy behavior will cease. The theory lends itself well to being adapted into an mHealth format, making it more easily accessible and more widely used. Grounded in displacement theory, the proposed study aims to develop an app-based weight loss intervention for adolescents with obesity. Information gained regarding the feasibility and acceptability of such an intervention can potentially be replicated and applied to other populations with various addictive behaviors. Helping those with addictive behaviors in a format that has little to no logistical barriers can have a substantial impact on public health. A novel smartphone app will be designed by key stakeholders and refined through the course of the study. 38 total adolescents (14-21 years old) with %BMIp85 will be recruited via various sources (e.g., clinic referrals, flyers, social media advertising) to participate in one of two stages of the study: the beta testing stage or the trial stage. Beta testing will enroll one group of eight teens to test the app for three weeks; participants will be assessed in-person pre- and post-intervention. After each group, the app will be modified to incorporate their feedback in order to promote youth engagement. The trial stage will enroll 30 adolescents to participate in a four-month intervention; participants will complete three assessments, baseline, post-intervention (both in-person) and one-month post-intervention (either in-person or virtually). The study will examine engagement and satisfaction with the app, as well as the intervention's impact on clinical outcome measures (weight and BMI, diet and snacking, and addictive behaviors related to food and substance use) and potential mediators/moderators (motivation for change, perceived stress, and distress tolerance).

HYPERtension Reduction Through WALKing Stairs Versus Brisk Walking

This clinical trial investigates whether incorporating stair walking into daily routines improves physical health in adults at risk of lifestyle-related conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Participants will be randomized into three groups: (1) stair walking combined with brisk walking, (2) brisk walking alone, and (3) a control group receiving standard lifestyle advice without specific exercise instructions, stratified by age (\<65 y/o, v \>=65) and site. The primary objective is to assess whether the combination of stair and brisk walking leads to greater reductions in systolic blood pressure compared to brisk walking alone or standard care. Secondary outcomes include changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. Participants in the stair walking group will be instructed to climb ≥250 steps per day (\~5.5 minutes/day or \~37.5 minutes/week), or complete an equivalent elevation via inclined slopes, along with ≥75 minutes of brisk walking per week. Those in the brisk walking group will walk ≥150 minutes per week. The control group will receive general lifestyle advice but no tailored physical activity goals or feedback. Participants in both active groups will aim to double their baseline activity levels. Physical activity will be continuously monitored using wearable devices. The active groups will receive personalized feedback and motivational support throughout the 6-month intervention period. If effective, this study may offer a simple, scalable, and low-cost intervention model for use in clinical and public health settings, emphasizing personalized goals, remote monitoring, and behavioral support.