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Assessing Obesity Related Risk Factors in Adult Population: A Genetic and Behavioral Study

Assessing Obesity Related Risk Factors in Burke, Columbia, Richmond (BCR) Adult Population: A Genetic and Behavioral Study

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07341841
Acronym
ORF
Enrollment
100
Registered
2026-01-14
Start date
2026-01-01
Completion date
2026-12-01
Last updated
2026-01-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obesity Prevention

Keywords

MC4R, gene variant. obesity, diet

Brief summary

This study aims to explore the association between Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R) polymorphisms, eating habits, and social determinants of health in a heterogeneous adult population in Georgia, USA.

Detailed description

The study has three aims. Aim 1: Genotyping and Participant Stratification To assess the genetic variation of the MC4R gene in the Burke-Columbia-Richmond (BCR) population using Targeted DNA sequencing technology and stratify participants into genotype-based intervention groups (e.g., risk vs. non-risk variants). We anticipate seeing differences in MC4R gene polymorphisms within the BCR residents. Aim 2: Genotype-Informed Lifestyle Intervention To evaluate the effects of an 8-week personalized dietary and physical activity intervention and association with the frequency distribution of the MC4R variants in the BCR using modified Diet History Questionnaire II (DHQ II) and bicycle ergometer, respectively. In addition, the association between body composition and the subject's age group will be measured using BOD POD instrument. We expect to find associations between food intake and the MC4R variants within the residents of the BCR area. We also expect to see the difference between age groups and the MC4R variant based on body composition. Primary outcome: change in body composition, primarily body fat percentage Secondary outcomes: changes in dietary patterns, physical activity, and BMI Aim 3: Socioeconomic and environmental factors To assess whether socio-economic status and environmental inequalities influence diet quality and obesity status of the BCR residents. Data will be collected through a structured questionnaire and secondary sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau. We expect to find differences in the obesity profiles in the BCR adult population due to socio-economic and environmental inequalities. We hypothesize that the MC4R variants, socio-economic, and environmental inequalities are correlated with eating habits and obesity status within BCR residents.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALDiet and exercise

Diet intervention: Participants will be randomly divided into a control group (n=50) and a training group (n=50) using the simplest method of assigning participants to different treatment groups: a coin toss. They will be surveyed using the modified DHII questionnaire to assess their caloric intake. The baseline calorie intake will be evaluated during the first visit. Participants will be instructed to reduce their portion sizes by half of what they typically consume. The commitment of participants will be for 8 weeks. Exercise intervention: In the first visit, subjects will be familiarized with exercise on a bicycle ergometer to eliminate the novel effects of a new experience. The subjects in the training group will then come to our laboratory to participate in an 8-week exercise program; the control group will not undergo training during this experimental period. The training group will train on a bicycle ergometer for 30 minutes, 3 days a week, for 8 weeks.

BEHAVIORALLifestyle Intervention

8-week personalized diet using a personalized low-calorie diet based on the caloric intake baseline using modified Diet History Questionnaire II (DHQ II)

BEHAVIORALExercise

8-week personalized physical activity- subjects will be doing 30-minute exercise three times a week using a bicycle ergometer

Sponsors

Augusta University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

Adults 18-70 years old are included in the study. Target populations are 4 groups: * Group 1 - overweight (not obese), if BMI is 25.0-29.9 Kg/m2; * Group 2 - Class 1 (lower-risk) obesity, if BMI is 30.0-34.9 Kg/m2; * Group 3 - Class 2 (moderate-risk) obesity, if BMI is 35-39.9 Kg/m2 and * Group 4 - Class 3 (high-risk) obesity, if BMI is equal or greater than 40 Kg/m2. Males and females will participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

Children younger than 18 years old and adults over 70 are excluded from the study. Non-English speakers and individuals with impaired decision-making capacity to consent are excluded from the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Diet and exercise8 weeksCalorie intake, BMI, % fat, % lean mass.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026