Effect of Weight Loss on Body Composition and Metabolic Function in Women With Lipedema

Lipedema is a disorder characterized by massive, bilateral accumulation of fat below the waist and in the legs. Enlargement of the lower extremities is often accompanied by leg pain and accumulation of fluid. Little is known about the functional changes that lead to fat accumulation and pain in women with lipedema. The goals of this project are to conduct a comprehensive characterization of abdominal and femoral fat tissues in lean and obese women with lipedema and to evaluate the potential effect of diet-induced weight loss as a therapy. Once enrolled in the study, the following tests will be conducted on lean women with lipedema: characterization of body composition (fat tissue distribution), insulin sensitivity (response to insulin) and adipose tissue biology. The following tests will be conducted on obese women with lipedema: characterization of body composition (fat tissue distribution), insulin sensitivity (response to insulin), adipose tissue biology, and immune system function/inflammation. As control groups, we will compare body composition and insulin sensitivity to: i) women with obesity without lipedema who are matched on age, body mass index, total body fat mass, and percent body weight as fat; and ii) women who were lean and healthy to serve as a normal comparator for the 2 groups with obesity. Participants in the 2 control groups will enroll in a different study at Washington University (IRB# 201512086) where the same procedures will be performed to assess body composition and insulin sensitivity. A second aim of the study is to determine the effect of diet-induced weight loss on body composition, insulin sensitivity, and adipose tissue biology in women with lipedema. The results from this second aim of the study will provide important insights on the efficacy of diet therapy in managing lipedema.