Obesity studies

The alarming increase of obesity in the United States is associated with many serious health issues for children and adults. We study risk factors, treatment, acute and chronic complications, and pregnancy outcomes associated with obesity. Our pediatric obesity research examines prevention, disparities, and premature illness in children with extreme obesity. Our studies with adults focus on development of effective weight management programs as well as the potential risks and benefits of bariatric surgery.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Cancer Incidence in Severely Obese Adults

The goal of this project is to estimate the impact of bariatric surgery versus routine non-surgical care on the incidence of cancer (all types) in all severely obese patients (men and women).

Principal Investigator:

Corinna Koebnick, PhD, MSc

Funding Source:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Funding Years:

2014 - 2018

Research Categories:

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Impact of Sugary Beverage Taxes on Weight and Health Outcomes after 3-5 Years

This study uses electronic health records to determine the effects of sugary beverage taxes initiated in 4 Northern California cities compared with control cities in Northern and Southern California. Outcomes include weight change trajectories and prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adults, and incidence of diabetes among adults with prediabetes. Pre-specified sub-analyses include examining differences by race/ethnicity, age groups, and neighborhood socioeconomic status.

Principal Investigator:

Deborah Rohm Young, PhD, MBA

Funding Source:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Funding Years:

2020 - 2024

Kaiser Permanente & Strategic Partners Patient Outcomes Research To Advance Learning, (PCORI/PORTAL Network)

The PORTAL network propose to create a cohort of adults who are overweight or obese, including those who have pre-diabetes or diabetes. The cohort development activity will demonstrate that the PORTAL network is able to meet the 10 criteria for a clinical data research network specified by PCORI.

Principal Investigator:

Deborah Rohm Young, PhD, MBA

Funding Source:

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

Funding Years:

2014 - 2015

Research Categories:

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Long-term Effectiveness of Phentermine for Weight Loss

Site Principal Investigator:

Deborah Rohm Young, PhD, MBA

Funding Source:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Funding Years:

2021

MatTrack: The impact of preconception maternal weight trajectories on maternal, pregnancy, and child outcomes

Aims: 1. Determine maternal preconception weight trajectories associated with (a) recommended GWG (total and trimester-specific) and (b) lowest PPWR at 4-6 weeks and 12 months postpartum. 2. Determine maternal preconception weight trajectories associated with the lowest risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension/preeclampsia, and cesarean section. 3. Determine maternal preconception weight trajectories associated with the lowest risk of adverse child outcomes: preterm birth, size for gestational age at birth (small [SGA], appropriate, large [LGA]), infant growth trajectory, and BMI at 3 years of age.

Site Principal Investigator:

Deborah Rohm Young, PhD, MBA

Funding Source:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Funding Years:

2021

Prenatal Antibiotic Use and Body Weight in Children

The goal of this study is to examine the potential relationship between antibiotic use during pregnancy and pediatric weight problems. Particular focus is given to infants exposed to intrapartum Group B streptococcus prophylaxis and its impact on a child’s body weight.

Principal Investigator:

Corinna Koebnick, PhD, MSc

Funding Source:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Funding Years:

2017 - 2019

Research Categories:

,

Randomized Trial of Exercise Promotion In Primary Care (EPPC)

To determine the feasibility of a primary care based, telephone counseling physical activity behavioral intervention for diabetics and prediabetics.

Principal Investigator:

Deborah Rohm Young, PhD, MBA

Funding Source:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Funding Years:

2014 - 2016

The association between Cesarean Delivery, Labor and Body Weight in Children.

This project is part of a series of CDC studies to better understand the association between birth factors such as delivery mode labor or rupture of membrane, and exposure to intrapartum antibiotics and childhood weight gain.

Principal Investigator:

Corinna Koebnick, PhD, MSc

Funding Source:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Funding Years:

2019 - 2022

The Bariatric Experience Long Term (BELONG) II for Racial and Ethnic Minority Patients

Effective treatments for severe obesity are particularly needed in racial/ethnic minority populations. Rates of severe obesity are as high as 36% for middle-aged non-Hispanic black women compared to 16% for their white counterparts in the U.S. Research on bariatric weight loss outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities is limited. What evidence does exist suggests that black patients consistently lose less weight than whites over 2–3 years of follow-up. The evidence for differences between Hispanic and white or black bariatric patients is equivocal. Hispanic patients have been shown to lose more, less, or the same amount of weight as non-Hispanic black and white patients. Across studies, the disparities in % total weight loss vary from less than 2% to 10%. This variability is twice as much as the amount of weight loss considered clinically meaningful. This study will extend the work done by our team during the Bariatric Experience Long-Term (BELONG) study which addressed how self-reported behavioral, psychosocial, and perceived environmental factors predicted weight loss over 3 years following gastric bypass and sleeve. Patients (n = 1,975) were 41% Hispanic, 17% non-Hispanic black, and 37% non-Hispanic white. The proposed study will expand the work of BELONG by incorporating: 1) A focus on weight regain during 3-5 years after surgery; 2) measures shown to contribute to health disparities in severe obesity (vigilant coping style and internalized racism); and 3) innovative qualitative methods (photo-elicitation and ethnography) to understand the patient experience.

Principal Investigator:

Karen J. Coleman, PhD, MS

Funding Source:

National Center on Minority Health & Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Funding Years:

2019 - 2023

The Role of Adipokines in Glucose Regulation and Metabolic Decline

This project measured a large panel of pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines in existing blood samples collected from BetaGene I and II study participants, combine these data with genome-wide genetic variation, dietary and physical activity information, and elucidate the pathophysiological pathways that underlie metabolic decline leading to type 2 diabetes.

Principal Investigator:

Anny Hui Xiang, PhD, MS

Funding Source:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Funding Years:

2014 - 2018

Research Categories:

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Using Computational Approaches to Optimize Asthma Care Management

This project aims to improve the accuracy of computationally identifying high-risk asthma patients, it’s assess potential impact on outcomes and to provide automated prediction result explanations for care management.

Site Principal Investigator:

Corinna Koebnick, PhD, MSc

Funding Source:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Funding Years:

2018 - 2022