Hormonal Regulation of Body Weight Maintenance

Hormonal Regulation of Body Weight Maintenance

The investigators here propose to perform a collaborative clinical research effort including a randomized controlled trial investigating the mechanisms of weight maintenance and their relation to a lifestyle intervention in children, adolescents and adults. The detailed investigation and analysis of the variability and dynamics of the endocrine circuits responding to a negative energy balance and weight loss will be accompanied and enhanced by specific clinical projects targeting peripheral and central-nervous aspects of hormonal counter-regulation after weight loss. Mechanisms of endocrine counter-regulation and potential therapeutic approaches will be studied.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI > 27 kg/m2 (adults)

Exclusion Criteria:

• weight loss of more than 5kg in the last 2 months

• pregnancy, breastfeeding

• patients with:

  • severe heart failure
  • impaired hepatic or renal function
  • anaemia
  • disturbed coagulation (biopsies will not be taken in those subjects)
  • infection, malabsorption
  • severe hypertension
  • cancer within the last 5 years
  • eating disorders or any other psychiatric condition that would interact with the trial intervention
  • any other endocrine disorder

• changes of smoking habits or diets within the last 3 months prior to study inclusion