Understanding Why Weight Comes Back After Losing It

Predicting Weight Regain Following Weight Loss Using Physiological Measures of Appetite and Energy Expenditure

NIH-funded research Drexel University · NIH-11334136

This project aims to understand why people regain weight after successfully losing it, by looking at how their body's appetite and metabolism change.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDrexel University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11334136 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many people struggle to keep weight off after losing it, and this project wants to find out why. We will recruit 100 individuals for a weight loss program and carefully measure changes in their body's energy use and how their brain responds to food. By tracking these changes, we hope to identify specific physical signals that can predict who might regain weight. This information could help us develop better strategies to maintain weight loss in the future.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals interested in participating in a weight loss program who are willing to undergo physiological assessments.

Not a fit: Patients not interested in a structured weight loss program or who are not able to commit to follow-up assessments may not receive direct benefit from this particular opportunity.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to predict and prevent weight regain, helping individuals maintain their weight loss long-term.

How similar studies have performed: While behavioral weight loss programs are common, understanding the specific physiological predictors of weight regain is an ongoing area of active investigation.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.