MRI study to see how obesity treatments affect body and organ fat in severely obese kids
Official title: Impact of Weight Loss Interventions on Multiorgan Health, Detected by Quantitative MRI, in Children and Young People With Severe Obesity.
Run by Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust · NCT07702825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether adding a GLP-1 receptor agonist to lifestyle changes helps improve body composition and organ fat in adolescents with severe obesity.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Liverpool, Merseyside) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 6, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2027 |
| Study ends | January 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 14, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07702825 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12–<18 with severe obesity (BMI >99.6th percentile or >2.67 SDS) who are either starting GLP-1 therapy in addition to lifestyle changes or are managed with lifestyle changes alone.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not experience changes in body composition or organ fat with the treatment approach they receive may see little to no benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will use MRI to measure body composition and organ fat at baseline and after nine months in adolescents with severe obesity. Participants are split into two groups: those receiving GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy plus lifestyle changes, and those receiving lifestyle changes alone. The goal is to see if the weight-loss approach with medication yields better improvements in organ health than lifestyle changes alone. The study is observational and compares outcomes across the two management strategies. Eligible participants are aged 12 to under 18 with BMI above the 99.6th percentile or more than 2.67 SDS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify whether adding GLP-1 receptor agonists to lifestyle changes improves organ health in teens with severe obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in adults and pediatric populations have shown MRI can detect body and organ fat changes with weight management interventions, but the direct comparison of GLP-1 plus lifestyle versus lifestyle alone in adolescents is less established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 12 to \<18 years at the time of enrolment * BMI \>99.6th centile or \>2.67 SDS * Informed consent from parent(s) (or person with parental responsibility) and assent from the child or young person for participants aged less than 16 years (or) * Informed consent from the participant if aged ≥ 16 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Body weight above upper limit of the scanner (\>250 kilograms) * Needs general anaesthesia for the MRI scanning * Any contraindications for MRI- Metal implants/claustrophobia * Previous use of GLP-1 receptor agonist * Refusal to consent or refusal to assent from a competent older adolescent.
Where it's running
-
Alder Hey Children's hospital
Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Anand Ramakrishnan, MD (Ped), MSc (Diab), PhD endo
- Email: senthil.senniappan@alderhey.nhs.uk
- Phone: +44 01512525956
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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.