Broadening Body Composition Diagnostics for Obesity
Official title: Redefining Evaluation of Adiposity and Leanness: Broadening Objective Diagnostics for Obesity (REAL-BODY)
Run by Foundation for the National Institutes of Health · NCT07776678 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how different body composition tools compare for people with obesity or overweight, to see which methods give the most accurate picture of fat and lean mass.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Phoenix, Arizona and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 29, 2026 |
| Main results expected | November 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | March 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07776678 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults 18+ with BMI 18.5–45 kg/m2 who are willing to undergo DXA, MRI, blood tests, and various imaging/anthropometric assessments across multiple sites.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals unwilling to travel to multiple sites or undergo imaging like MRI/DXA may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study evaluates body composition across multiple devices and methods, including BIA, 3DO, manual measurements, DXA, MRI, and blood tests. A subset will have a side-by-side comparison of BIA, 3DO, and manual measurements within one week. Up to 300 healthy adults aged 18 and older with BMI 18.5–45 kg/m2 will participate at several sites to assess the practicality, agreement, and potential benefits of broadening objective body composition diagnostics. The goal is to improve how obesity and weight-management therapies are monitored beyond total body weight, particularly for treatments aiming to preserve lean mass. The findings could inform future clinical and regulatory use of body composition endpoints.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could improve how clinicians monitor fat and lean mass during obesity treatment, leading to more precise assessments of treatment effect.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work uses DXA and MRI to quantify body composition, but cost and accessibility limit routine use, so this study extends real-world comparisons across more accessible tools.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being willing to provide written informed consent prior to participation Being willing to complete the study visits and comply with the study procedures * Being willing to travel to the various study locations for On-site, DXA, MRI, and Phlebotomy visits * Being willing to change into appropriate form-fitting clothing for 3DO assessments and/or appropriate gowns for DXA and MRI imaging * Must have a BMI within the range of 18.5 - 45 kg/m2 * Being willing to refrain from all food, drink, and substances for 8 hours prior to the On-site visit(s) and phlebotomy visit * Being willing to refrain from all food, drink, and substances for 4 hours prior to the DXA and MRI scan visits * Being willing to refrain from any exercise or vigorous physical activity for 24 hours prior to all visits * Stable weight (no more than 5 kg change) for 3 months prior to screening * If recruited in the Phoenix, AZ area, participants must be willing to drive yourself to the Phoenix Office location for the On-site Visits 1 and 2 (if applicable) located at the Exponent Phoenix Office. Exclusion Criteria: * Being pregnant or attempting to become pregnant * Having medical implants, such as a pacemaker or metal joint replacements, or other metal implants contraindicated for MRI * Cosmetic implants, such as breast implants * Having a height greater than DXA scanning limit (77 inches) * Having a body weight greater than indicated for the equipment (400 lbs) * Prior amputation or major body-altering surgery that could invalidate body composition estimates * Having claustrophobia or a history of claustrophobia * Known HIV infection * Known Lipodystrophy * Known hydration abnormality (e.g., significant edema, end-stage renal disease, end-stage liver disease) * Severe illness or life-threatening conditions such as end-stage kidney, liver, lung disease, NYHA III-IV heart failure, or active malignancy
Where it's running
-
Exponent Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, United States Recruiting -
Exponent Menlo Park
Menlo Park, California, United States Recruiting -
Exponent Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Steven Heymsfield, MD
- Email: bodycompstudy@exponent.com
- Phone: 650-688-4070
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
How incretin treatments affect muscle mass and function in people with overweight or obesity
This study will see how drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide influence fat-free mass, muscle strength, and physical function in adults with overweight or obesity.
-
Dose find for remimazolam plus alfentanil for gastroscopy in obese adults
This trial tests what dose of remimazolam besylate with alfentanil best sedates obese adults during gastroscopy.
-
Two-Year Weight Loss With GLP-1 Medications Compared With Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adults
This study compares how much weight adults lose over two years when starting GLP-1 medicines versus adults who had sleeve gastrectomy at the same center.
-
Gut barrier and inflammation after fast-food overfeeding in adults
This study tests whether 14 days of fast-food overfeeding can alter gut barrier function and trigger inflammation in adults who are generally healthy.
-
High BMI and periodontitis in Thai adults under 60
This study tests how common high BMI and periodontitis are among Thai adults aged 18–59 and what factors are linked to them.
-
GLP-1 weight‑loss medicine: finding who will benefit most
This study tests whether a GLP-1 drug called semaglutide helps with weight loss by changing eating behavior, to see which people it helps the most.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.