Predictors of Keeping Off Weight After Losing It in Adults with Obesity
Official title: Predictors of Recidivism to Obesity in Weight-Reduced Individuals
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11598330 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study why some people who lose about 10% of their body weight after lifestyle changes regain weight, by looking at behavior and body signals in adults with overweight or obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 24, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $814,275 |
| NIH project number | 3UH3DK128302-06S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11598330 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with overweight or obesity who have recently achieved a 10% weight reduction through lifestyle changes.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not aiming to lose weight or those not undergoing a 10% reduction may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows adults who have lost 10% of their weight to see what behavioral, metabolic, and environmental factors help or hinder keeping the weight off. It examines brain, autonomic, thyroid, leptin, muscle, and fat tissue signals that control energy use and hunger. The study tracks weight regain during a year after achieving the weight loss when clinical support is minimal. By combining behavioral data with molecular and physiological measurements, it aims to identify predictors of successful long-term weight maintenance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to personalized strategies to sustain weight loss and reduce obesity-related health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that weight regain is common; this study adds a prospective, detailed look at both behavior and biological signals to predict who maintains weight loss.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leibel, Rudolph L — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Leibel, Rudolph L
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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.