Re-energize With Nutrition, Exercise and Weight Loss

The purpose of this project is to establish a Center of Excellence in Research on Obesity that will focus on severe obesity. The prevalence of severe obesity (i.e., Class 2 and 3 obesity; body mass index \> 35 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2) is increasing more rapidly than is overweight and Class 1 obesity. Treatment guidelines for severe obesity are uncertain. Three novel hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of severe obesity will be tested: a) using non-invasive methods to measure energy expenditure; b) conducting an annotated lipomic search for bio-markers of impaired fat oxidation; and c) examining the role of obesity-induced inflammation as a cause for leptin resistance. Responses will also be measured following intervention with diet and activity.