How upper‑body versus lower‑body fat affects diabetes and metabolism
Regional Fatty Acid Metabolism In Humans
This project tests whether losing upper‑body (visceral) fat improves blood sugar control and overall metabolism in adults with Class I obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11352571 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would follow an energy‑deficit program designed to lose about 8 kg of body fat while researchers track changes in your metabolism. They will take blood tests and small fat biopsies from both upper‑body (including visceral) and lower‑body fat to measure how fat is stored and released. The team will also study how meal fats are handled and look at enzyme activity and gene signals in those fat depots. Results will be compared before and after weight loss and between premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older with Class I obesity who are willing to follow a supervised weight‑loss program and undergo blood tests and small fat biopsies would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without obesity, children, or anyone unwilling or medically unable to undergo biopsies and multiple clinic visits would likely not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain why upper‑body fat raises diabetes risk and point to more targeted weight‑loss strategies or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows visceral fat is linked to insulin resistance and that weight loss improves metabolism, but the detailed depot‑specific mechanisms and meal‑fat handling remain incompletely understood.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jensen, Michael D. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Jensen, Michael D.
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 below.