Investigating how certain fatty acids can help prevent obesity
Official title: n-3 PUFA derived epoxides and thermogenesis for obesity prevention
Funded at University of Tennessee Knoxville · NIH-10438276 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain healthy fats can help your body burn more energy and prevent weight gain, and it could lead to new ways for adults to manage their weight without the usual side effects of other methods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Knoxville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Knoxville, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $445,534 |
| NIH project number | 1R15DK132728-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10438276 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are at risk of obesity or related metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or do not have metabolic disorders may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid, in stimulating thermogenesis to prevent obesity. The study aims to understand how these fatty acids can enhance energy expenditure and improve metabolism by targeting brown adipose tissue in adults. By using a pharmacological inhibitor to stabilize these fatty acids, the research seeks to find a practical method for promoting weight management without the side effects associated with traditional approaches. Patients may benefit from insights into new dietary or therapeutic strategies for obesity prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new methods for preventing obesity and its related health issues.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in using fatty acids for metabolic health, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Knoxville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Ling — University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Ling
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Helping communities use proven obesity-prevention ideas for kids
A study will test network-based approaches to help coalitions that serve underserved communities adopt proven obesity-prevention strategies for children.
-
GrowSmart: A kid-friendly AI tool to help primary care teams prevent obesity
A pediatric primary care tool using artificial intelligence helps identify kids at risk for obesity and supports doctors and families in choosing healthy lifestyle steps.
-
Strategies to boost impact of an obesity prevention program in communities
A project will test how to scale and optimize HEALTH, a proven weight-management program for young adult women, in real community settings.
-
Community-driven Infant Obesity Prevention: Supporting Healthy Feeding by Addressing Moms’ Mental Health
A community-informed program helps low-income families with infants develop healthy eating and feeding habits early, while supporting mothers’ mental health.
-
Obesity Prevention Targets for Down Syndrome
A study to find early, practical ways to prevent overweight and obesity in children and adults with Down syndrome.
-
Mobile sleep-boosting tool to help kids stay slim
A mobile health platform is being developed to help children 0-11 sleep better at home, with the aim of preventing obesity.
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.