The Food Intake Phenotype: Assessing Eating Behavior and Food Preferences as Risk Factors for Obesity



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Obesity Weight Loss
Therapuetic Areas:Endocrinology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 65
Updated:1/10/2019
Start Date:April 9, 1999
Contact:Susanne Votruba, Ph.D.
Email:votrubas@mail.nih.gov
Phone:(602) 200-5336

Use our guide to learn which trials are right for you!

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has reached alarming proportions with 33% of
adults over the age of 20 being overweight. Obesity is more than twice as prevalent, however,
in the Pima Indians of Arizona. Although there have been a number of advances in our
understanding of the genetics of obesity, the environmental influences on the genetic
expression of obesity requires further investigation.

In an effort to understand some of the influences on the high prevalence of obesity in the
Pima Indians, the present study was designed to investigate eating behaviors and food
preferences, most especially the preference for high fat foods, in sib-pairs of Pima Indians
who have been previously genotyped in our genomic scan for loci linked to diabetes/obesity.
Most specifically, we will utilize several questionnaires and methods of assessing eating
behavior and the preference for high fat foods to create a food intake phenotype. In
addition, we will study Caucasians so that comparisons can be made between these two groups.
We will make these evaluations by assessing eating behavior, food preferences including usual
fat intake and preferences for high fat foods, body image perceptions, and energy
expenditure. It is hoped that the data gathered from this study will elucidate some of the
risk factors for the development of obesity among the Pima Indians.

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has reached alarming proportions with 33% of
adults over the age of 20 being overweight. In some populations, obesity is even more
prevalent. Although there have been a number of advances in our understanding of the genetics
of obesity, the environmental influences on the genetic expression of obesity requires
further investigation.

In an effort to understand some of the influences on the high prevalence of obesity, the
present study was designed to investigate what drives how much people eat. More specifically,
we will try to understand what drives food intake utilizing 1) questionnaires that assess
eating behavior, 2) measurements in blood, urine or fat tissue, and 3) genotypic associations
to investigate the various factors that control what and how much people eat. We will make
these evaluations by assessing eating behavior, food preferences including usual fat intake
and preferences for high fat foods, body image perceptions, and energy expenditure. It is
hoped that the data gathered from this study will elucidate some of the risk factors for the
development of obesity.

- INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Healthy, as determined by medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Hypo or hyper thyroid

Blood pressure greater than 160/95

Cardiovascular disease

Gallbladder disease

Alcohol and/or current use of drugs (more than 2 drinks per day and regular use of drugs
such as amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, or marijuana)

Psychiatric conditions or behavior that would be incompatible with safe and successful
participation in this study, including claustrophobia and eating disorders such as anorexia
or bulimia nervosa

Use of medications affecting metabolism and appetite

Pregnancy

Smoking
We found this trial at
1
site
Phoenix, Arizona 85014
Phone: 602-200-5336
?
mi
from
Phoenix, AZ
Click here to add this to my saved trials