The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the physiological basis for the differences in weight regain among adults (25-59 years old) with obesity following participation in a behavioral weight loss program. Eligible participants will undergo a baseline evaluation after which they will enter an up to 20 week behavioral weight loss program with the goal of losing at least 7 percent of their baseline weight within 35 weeks. Participants who meet the weight loss goal will be asked to remain weight stable for 2 weeks after which they will undergo a clinical examination. They will then be observed for 1 year during which they will undergo 2 additional clinical examinations, one 4 months after completing the weight loss program, and the other 12 months after completing the weight loss program.
Age: 25 - <60 years
BMI: 30 - <40 kg/m2 at the first screening visit
Within 5% of current weight, for the past 6 months at the first screening visit
Able to participate in ergometry testing
If 25-29 years old, > 5% deviation from maximum weight (excluding weights while pregnant) since age 25 years
If at least 30 years old, > 5% deviation from maximum weight (excluding weights while pregnant) in last 5 years or ≥ 10% deviation from maximum weight (excluding weights while pregnant) since age 30 years
History of pulmonary embolus in the past 6 months
Cardiovascular disease (e.g. myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, or transient ischemic attack) within the past 6 months
University of Pittsburgh
Lead sponsor
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Collaborator
Tufts University
Collaborator
Columbia University
Collaborator
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Collaborator
Drexel University
Collaborator
University of Pennsylvania
Collaborator
Dartmouth College
Collaborator