Study of Weight Loss Effects in Adults with Obesity Starting in Childhood or Adulthood Aiming to Understand Fat, Muscle, and Metabolism Differences

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating differences in fat, muscle, and metabolism between individuals who developed obesity during childhood and those who developed it in adulthood. The study focuses on people aged 25 to 40 with obesity to better understand how the timing of obesity onset affects body composition and metabolic health. This observational study aims to explore specific immune, muscle, and fat tissue characteristics and blood inflammatory markers over several years. Participants will undergo various tests including biopsies of abdominal and thigh fat and thigh muscle, blood and urine collection, DEXA scans, and submaximal exercise tests. Resting energy expenditure will be measured using indirect calorimetry to design a personalized weight loss plan involving calorie restriction and cardiovascular exercise three times a week. Once participants lose about 10% of their starting body weight, all tests will be repeated during a two-week weight stabilization phase. After 12 weeks, indirect calorimetry, DEXA scans, and blood tests will be repeated again to assess changes. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored closely with repeated assessments to measure immune cell counts, fat cell characteristics, muscle and fat tissue interaction, and blood markers of inflammation. The study includes a focus on weight stabilization and maintaining the weight loss to understand lasting effects. The total follow-up involves repeated evaluations over several years to capture both acute and chronic effects of obesity based on its onset timing.

Acute and Chronic Effects of Obesity