Exercise and fat tissue: how workouts change fat tissue and metabolic health during weight loss and regain
Official title: Exercise effects on adipose tissue morphology, metabolic function, and metabolic health with weight loss and weight regain in obesity
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11345409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how adding exercise to a weight loss plan affects fat tissue and overall metabolic health in people with obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,337 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131724-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity who are undergoing weight loss with caloric restriction and may benefit from targeted exercise programs.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to participate in an exercise program or without obesity-related metabolic concerns may see limited relevance.
What this research studies
This project looks at how caloric restriction combined with exercise changes the structure and function of abdominal fat tissue and its impact on metabolic health. It will examine signaling pathways in adipose tissue to see how exercise influences fat storage, blood supply, and fatty acid release during weight loss and regain. The study will help patients understand whether exercise can optimize fat tissue behavior and improve insulin sensitivity beyond weight loss alone. Participants may undergo supervised exercise and dietary plans while researchers analyze tissue and metabolic markers. The goal is to tailor lifestyle strategies that maximize health benefits from weight loss efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide personalized exercise and diet plans to improve metabolic health in obesity beyond weight loss alone.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest exercise can modify adipose tissue biology, but this study seeks to clarify mechanisms and clinical relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Horowitz, Jeffrey F — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Horowitz, Jeffrey F
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.