Experimental Approach to Test Predictions of Body Weight Regulation Models

Description

The regulation of human body weight and fatness is not fully understood. Although some models of regulation have been proposed (set point, dual-intervention point, others), no studies have been designed to test their predictions. In this pilot and feasibility study, the investigators will implement an experimental approach to test the predictions of models of body weight regulation in humans. Men and women with either low body weight or obesity will be exposed to a 2-day fasting followed by a 2-day ad-libitum refeeding. During the entire fasting-refeeding period, energy intake and expenditure will be accurately measured within metabolic chambers. The investigators will therefore determine the compensatory responses to fasting elicited to prevent weight loss. The results will serve to design and power future studies to better understand body weight regulation.

Conditions

Obesity, Underweight

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The regulation of human body weight and fatness is not fully understood. Although some models of regulation have been proposed (set point, dual-intervention point, others), no studies have been designed to test their predictions. In this pilot and feasibility study, the investigators will implement an experimental approach to test the predictions of models of body weight regulation in humans. Men and women with either low body weight or obesity will be exposed to a 2-day fasting followed by a 2-day ad-libitum refeeding. During the entire fasting-refeeding period, energy intake and expenditure will be accurately measured within metabolic chambers. The investigators will therefore determine the compensatory responses to fasting elicited to prevent weight loss. The results will serve to design and power future studies to better understand body weight regulation.

Experimental Approach to Test Predictions of Body Weight Regulation Models

Experimental Approach to Test Predictions of Body Weight Regulation Models

Condition
Obesity
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Baton Rouge

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70808

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Body mass index lower than 20 kg/m2 for the low body weight group, or 30 kg/m2 or greater for the obesity group
  • * 18-40 years old
  • * Nulliparous and regular menstrual cycle (25-35 days) during the last six months (in women)
  • * Normal thyroid function, blood count, and chemistry 15 panel (normal plasma glucose will be considered at \<100 mg/dL; normal serum HDL cholesterol at \>=50 mg/dL for women and \>=40 mg/dL for men; and normal serum triglycerides at \<150 mg/dL).
  • * Self-reported weight stability during the last six months (±3 kg)
  • * Rate the liking of at least one of the flavored liquid meals (Ensure Plus, Abbot Nutrition) between 5 and 8 on a 9-point Likert scale
  • * Willing to only drink up to two assigned flavors of Ensure Plus for two consecutive days
  • * Eating disorders as indicated by a global score ≥2.80 in the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, or a previous diagnosis of an eating disorder
  • * For the low body weight group, having food insecurity (with or without hunger) as assessed by the USDA
  • * Recreational moderate-intensity physical activity ≥150 min/week, recreational vigorous-intensity physical activity ≥75 min/week, or a combination of recreational moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity (moderate time + \[2 × vigorous time\]) ≥150 min/week as assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, or being a professional athlete
  • * Cigarette or vape smoking
  • * Intake of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week
  • * Use of medications that may affect energy intake and/or expenditure, for example, semaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide, other GLP-1 receptor agonists, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, orlistat, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, pramlintide, levocarnitine, amphetamines, and amphetamine-like drugs
  • * Human immunodeficiency virus, galactosemia, and lactose intolerance
  • * Diseases that affect energy homeostasis including endocrine such as hypo/hyperthyroidism, or type 1 or 2 diabetes; cancer; chronic pulmonary diseases; cardiovascular disease; and renal disease
  • * History of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's), malabsorption syndromes (intestinal, pancreatic), and sprue or gluten intolerance
  • * Having moderate to severe sleep apnea defined as an oxygen desaturation index \&gt;10 times/hour assessed by overnight oximetry to be conducted on the night following the screening visit
  • * Use of oral hormonal contraceptives or less than 6 months using a hormonal intrauterine device (in women)
  • * Adults who are unable to consent
  • * Prisoners
  • * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding (in women)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Pennington Biomedical Research Center,

Rodrigo Fernandez-Verdejo, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Eric Ravussin, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Dragana Lovre, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Tulane University

Study Record Dates

2025-11