Exercise for Obesity

(CAT Trial)

Overseen By Suzette Howton

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Must not be taking: Lipid/glucose metabolism, Inflammation

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Tobacco, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

50 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Assess differences in structure and biological function of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue samples collected from adults who exercise regularly vs. a well-matched cohort of non-exercisers.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking medications that affect lipid (fat) or glucose (sugar) metabolism, or inflammation, you may need to stop them to participate in this trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Exercise, Physical Activity, Workout, Fitness Training for obesity?

Research shows that exercise and physical activity help people with obesity by improving weight loss, reducing body fat, and enhancing physical fitness. These activities also improve quality of life and can help manage conditions like type 2 diabetes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is exercise safe for people with obesity?

Exercise is generally safe for people with obesity and offers many health benefits, such as weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, and better metabolic control. However, the best type and amount of exercise for safety and effectiveness in individuals with morbid obesity are not well-defined, so it's important to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

How does the treatment of exercise differ from other treatments for obesity?

Exercise is unique in treating obesity because it not only helps with weight and fat loss but also improves cardiovascular health and muscle strength, even if weight loss is modest. Unlike other treatments, exercise can enhance metabolic fitness and quality of life, and it is crucial for maintaining weight loss over time. ^{1 3 6 9 10}

Research Team

Jeffrey F Horowitz, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-40 with a BMI of 23-35, who are not pregnant or lactating, and have stable weight. Participants should be free from cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, not use tobacco products or medications affecting metabolism.

Inclusion Criteria

Body Mass Index: 23-35 kg/m2

I am between 18 and 40 years old.

I am a woman who has regular periods and am not in menopause.

Exclusion Criteria

Tobacco or e-cigarette users

Weight instability ≥ ± 6 pounds in the last 6 months

Blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Experimental Trial

Subjects will complete an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in which glucose is given and blood samples are taken every 15 minutes over a 2 hour period

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Exercise
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Trial Overview The study aims to compare abdominal fat tissue between regular exercisers and non-exercisers using an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test to understand differences in structure and function.

Participant Groups

Group I: Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will complete an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in which glucose is given and blood samples are taken every 15 minutes over a 2 hour period to determine how quickly the glucose is cleared from the blood.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

Findings from Research

Exercise has numerous benefits for individuals with obesity, including aiding in weight loss and improving cardiovascular health, but the direct impact on weight loss from exercise alone is modest, typically resulting in only a few kilograms of weight loss.

Physical activity is crucial for managing type 2 diabetes and preventing its complications, and a structured approach like the 5 A's strategy can help healthcare professionals effectively support patients in overcoming barriers to increasing their physical activity levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity in management of persons with obesity. Oppert, JM., Bellicha, A., Ciangura, C.[2021]

A structured, home-based exercise program significantly improved physical performance and quality of life in patients with obesity, as demonstrated by a cohort of 151 participants over a 3-month period.

After the program, participants showed notable enhancements in walking distance, speed, and VO2max, indicating that even simple exercise routines can have substantial health benefits for individuals with obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Usefulness of an Easy, Structured, and Home-Based Exercise Program to Improve Physical Performance and Quality of Life in a Patient's Cohort with Obesity. López-López, CO., Montes Castillo, ML., Aguilar-Serralde, CA., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 116 studies found that both aerobic and anaerobic training significantly improve body composition and physical fitness in individuals with obesity, with effect sizes ranging from trivial to very large.

Physical training not only reduces body weight and fat mass but also increases fat-free mass and VO2max, indicating enhanced cardiovascular fitness, suggesting that various intensities of exercise can be beneficial for weight loss and overall health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of physical training on anthropometrics, physical and physiological capacities in individuals with obesity: A systematic review. Zouhal, H., Ben Abderrahman, A., Khodamoradi, A., et al.[2021]

In a 12-week study involving 38 obese patients, those receiving weekly encouragement from personal trainers showed significant improvements in physical activity levels, pain reduction, and overall health status compared to a control group.

While there was no significant change in body weight, the structured physical activity program led to enhanced quality of life for the participants, highlighting the importance of behavioral changes in managing obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, QUALITY OF LIFE AND BODY IMAGE OF CANDIDATES TO BARIATRIC SURGERY. Barreto, BLM., Lima, JS., Albuquerque, DB., et al.[2019]

Physical activity is crucial for treating obesity, as it not only helps reduce fat but also prevents the loss of muscle mass and improves cardiovascular health, making it more than just a weight loss tool.

Successful physical activity programs for obese individuals require careful consideration of the type, intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise, along with addressing real-life barriers such as time constraints and lack of support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Physical activity in the treatment of obesity]. Svacinová, H., Matoulek, M.[2010]

A systematic review of 13 studies found that both aerobic and strength exercises are crucial for effectively treating individuals with morbid obesity, whether they are undergoing medical or surgical interventions.

It is essential to tailor the volume and intensity of exercise programs to ensure patient adherence, highlighting the need for individualized exercise plans for optimal results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical exercise and morbid obesity: a systematic review. Fonseca-Junior, SJ., Sá, CG., Rodrigues, PA., et al.[2019]

Combining physical exercise with energy restriction diets leads to greater weight loss than exercise alone, making it the most effective strategy for significant weight loss.

Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise weekly, along with resistance training, is recommended for weight loss and maintenance, which also helps improve obesity-related health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Obesity and physical exercise. Celik, O., Yildiz, BO.[2021]

This randomized controlled trial will assess the impact of exercise training combined with a very low energy diet (VLED) on body composition and health outcomes in 60 clinically severe obese women over 12 months.

The study aims to provide evidence on whether adding exercise to a VLED can lead to greater improvements in physical function, quality of life, and cardiometabolic risk factors compared to diet alone, addressing a gap in research for class II and III obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The functional and clinical outcomes of exercise training following a very low energy diet for severely obese women: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Miller, CT., Fraser, SF., Selig, SE., et al.[2018]

Regular exercise is crucial for managing obesity, contributing to weight loss, maintenance, and improved metabolic health, with endurance training being the most effective type of exercise.

Higher levels of physical activity are associated with better weight loss maintenance, although establishing a direct cause-and-effect relationship remains challenging.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise in the management of obesity. Petridou, A., Siopi, A., Mougios, V.[2019]

Exercise can be beneficial for obese individuals, but many are unable to tolerate physical activity due to their weight, which limits their ability to gain fitness and improve body composition.

The most effective treatment for obesity combines dietary restriction and exercise, with a greater emphasis on diet for those with severe obesity and a focus on exercise for managing mild obesity or preventing weight gain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of exercise on obesity. Garrow, JS.[2019]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity in management of persons with obesity. [2021]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Usefulness of an Easy, Structured, and Home-Based Exercise Program to Improve Physical Performance and Quality of Life in a Patient's Cohort with Obesity. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of physical training on anthropometrics, physical and physiological capacities in individuals with obesity: A systematic review. [2021]

4. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, QUALITY OF LIFE AND BODY IMAGE OF CANDIDATES TO BARIATRIC SURGERY. [2019]

5. Czech Republic pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Physical activity in the treatment of obesity]. [2010]

6. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical exercise and morbid obesity: a systematic review. [2019]

7. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Obesity and physical exercise. [2021]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The functional and clinical outcomes of exercise training following a very low energy diet for severely obese women: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. [2018]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise in the management of obesity. [2019]

10. Sweden pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of exercise on obesity. [2019]