Weight & Metabolism
Weight is shaped by genes, hormones, sleep, medicines and much more than willpower. Studies in this area look at what helps, for whom, and for how long.
- Obesity
- Weight after menopause
- Fatty liver
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea and weight
What studies here look at
Many weight studies test medicines given as a weekly injection or a daily tablet, alongside advice on food and activity. They often run for a year or more, because the question is not only whether weight comes off but whether it stays off and what happens to blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol along the way.
Other studies test programs rather than medicines: different eating patterns, coaching by phone, or apps that track meals and steps. Some follow people for years after weight-loss surgery.
Who studies often look for
Adults who have found it hard to lose weight and keep it off
People with raised cholesterol or blood pressure as well as extra weight
Adults told they have fatty liver
People who snore heavily or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea
Each study sets its own requirements. Read this as the people who tend to be asked, not as a checklist.
What taking part might involve
Four things studies in this area often ask of the people who take part.
Weight and waist
Measured at each visit on the study’s own scales, so readings compare fairly.
Blood tests
Sugar, fats and liver levels checked at set points, sometimes after fasting.
Injections at home
If the study uses one, the team shows you how and watches you do the first.
Food and activity logs
A few days of notes, or a step counter worn on the wrist.
Questions for the study team
Take these to your first call, and note the answers.
- How long does the study last, and what happens to my weight after it ends?
- Do I need to fast before any visits?
- Is there a dietitian or coach involved, and how often would we talk?
Hear about studies in this area
Sign up with Weight & Metabolism as your area and your ZIP code, and we will text you when a study near you lines up.
Sign up for this areaSee what is recruiting today
ClinicalTrials.gov is the public U.S. list of studies. This search shows recruiting studies for obesity.
Open the registry search