Understanding how stress and diet affect obesity in adolescents

The Stress-obesity Axis: a Metabolomics Approach Towards Personalized Nutrition in Adolescents (FAME)

Observational University Ghent · NCT06391671

This study is trying to see if tailored diet plans can help overweight teens aged 11 to 17 manage their weight better by looking at how stress and gut health affect them.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment750 (estimated)
Ages11 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Ghent Academic / other
Locations7 sites (Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06391671 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to develop personalized dietary interventions for adolescents aged 11 to 17 who are overweight or obese by examining the relationship between emotional stress, gut microbiome functionality, and dietary patterns. Participants will provide saliva, stool, and hair samples, along with completing questionnaires about their mental and medical health. The study will utilize metabolomics to analyze these samples and identify biomarkers associated with obesity and stress. The goal is to determine if personalized dietary approaches are more effective than general dietary recommendations.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 11 to 17 who are classified as overweight or obese.

Not a fit: Patients with type 1 diabetes, certain medical conditions, or those currently undergoing treatment with systemic corticosteroids may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to tailored nutritional strategies that effectively address obesity in adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using metabolomics in this context is relatively novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding the links between diet, stress, and obesity.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 11-17 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* Obesity/overweight
* Type 1 diabetes
* Medical conditions including pancreatic failure
* Developmental and hormonal disorders. E.g. thyroid problems, adrenal problems, Kallmann's syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), ...
* Pregnancy
* In treatment with systemic concentrations of corticosteroids (cortisone). Eg cortisone/betamethasone/Dexamethasone/Fludrocortisone/Hydrocortisone in pill form or administration by injections.

Where this trial is running

Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pediatric ObesityMetabolomicMass spectrometry
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.