De Haan

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and has increased notably in children and adolescents due to rising obesity rates. This research aims to compare the effects of two different weight loss programs on liver health in young people with NAFLD. The study follows two groups to understand how residential and ambulatory lifestyle treatments impact liver steatosis and fibrosis in pediatric patients. Participants receive lifestyle management focused on increasing physical activity, improving diet, adopting healthy eating habits, and psychological support. One group undergoes residential treatment for up to one year, while the other participates in an ambulatory program with similar multidisciplinary care. Both approaches follow standard care procedures designed to address severe obesity and its effects on liver health. During the study, children and adolescents will be monitored for changes in liver fibrosis and steatosis after 6 and 12 months of lifestyle intervention. Researchers will assess liver health improvements using non-invasive measures, including Fibroscan tests and blood work such as ALT levels. The study aims to gather detailed information on how these weight loss programs affect liver disease progression over time.

Researchers are exploring the relationship between stress, diet, gut microbiome, and obesity in adolescents aged 11 to 17 years. The study aims to develop personalized dietary interventions for overweight or obese adolescents by understanding how emotional stress and diet influence the gut microbiome and fecal metabolome. This observational study will collect biological samples and questionnaire data to analyze these factors and their impact on weight conditions. Participants will provide saliva, stool, and hair samples collected at home, along with completing questionnaires on mental health, medical history, and diet. The study includes targeted and untargeted metabolomics analysis of fecal samples, microbiome sequencing, and dietary assessments through food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour recalls. A personalized dietary intervention will be conducted for up to 20 overweight or obese adolescents over three months, with individual menus prepared by a dietician based on study findings. During the study, participants will undergo measurements including height, weight, fat percentage, and waist circumference. Blood samples will be collected before and after the intervention to analyze clinical biomarkers such as glucose and cholesterol. Questionnaires will assess emotional eating, physical activity, sleep, and quality of life. The research team will monitor metabolomics, microbiome profiles, stress levels via hair cortisol, and dietary habits throughout the study, which is expected to continue until 2027.

Researchers are investigating ultrasound-based tongue markers related to tongue characteristics such as fat accumulation, shape, and mechanical properties in children and adolescents with obesity. This observational study aims to validate these ultrasound markers and examine their relationship with body measurements and obstructive sleep apnea. The study includes both participants with obesity undergoing a weight-loss program and healthy controls. Participants will have tongue ultrasounds using a safe, non-invasive submental approach at the start of the study and after completing a 30-week inpatient multidisciplinary weight-loss rehabilitation program. The program focuses on weight loss and rehabilitation for children and adolescents with obesity. Alongside ultrasound, basic body measurements like height, weight, neck circumference, and hydration status will be recorded. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires about sleep-disordered breathing, and researchers will assess the reliability of ultrasound measurements. Main outcomes include tongue stiffness and imaging biomarkers measured before and after the weight-loss program. The study monitors anthropometric data and sleep-related outcomes, with the total observation spanning the 30-week program and two ultrasound assessments.