The NICHD conducts and supports a variety of clinical research related to obesity, overweight, and body composition. Select a link below to learn more about these projects.
Featured NICHD Clinical Trials on Obesity, Overweight, and Body Composition
Health Behavior in School-Age Children: NEXT Longitudinal Study 2009-2013 NEXT is a 4-year longitudinal assessment of a representative sample of U.S. schoolchildren starting at grade 10. The goals of the U.S. NEXT longitudinal study include the following: identify the trajectory of adolescent health status and health behaviors from mid-adolescent through the post high school year; examine individual predictors of the onset of key adolescent risk behaviors and risk indicators during this period, including those that lead to obesity; identify family, school, and social/environment factors that promote or sustain positive health behaviors; and identify transition points in health risk and risk behaviors and changes in family, school, and social/environment precursors to the set transitions.
Preventing Excessive Weight Gain in Adolescent Girls at High-Risk for Adult Obesity This study will examine whether interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) can help reduce excessive weight gain in adolescent girls. It will compare the effectiveness of IPT with a teen health education program in preventing weight gain.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Obesity and Brain Function Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and MC4R genetic mutations are two conditions that can cause problems with appetite regulation. People with PWS often have behavior and thinking problems. People with MC4R mutations may have problems with attention. These problems may be related to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that is important for brain development. Researchers want to study people with PWS and MC4R mutations to see how BDNF is involved in these conditions. Specifically, body weight and brain function will be studied, and compared with healthy volunteers.
Mifepristone for Metabolic Syndrome The long-term aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the ability of mifepristone to reverse or improve glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and weight gain. An initial 7-day study is proposed here to look at the effect of short-term administration of oral mifepristone or placebo on glucose intolerance.
Eating Behavior in Adolescents Little is known about the eating behaviors that place adolescents at heightened risk for overweight. In the proposed study, researchers will investigate the role that eating behaviors and genes may play in the development of overweight.
Characteristics of Prader-Willi Syndrome and Early-onset Morbid Obesity The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical features and genetic basis of PWS and early-onset morbid obesity and to determine how these conditions affect people throughout their lifetimes.
NICHD Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov Search Results
Information on current NIH-sponsored clinical trials on obesity, overweight, and body composition is available at the link below or by calling 1-800-411-1222.