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Pediatric assessment with 3-Dimensional Scanners (P3DS Study)
Pediatric assessment with 3-Dimensional Scanners (P3DS Study)
Body composition (BC) refers to different body compartments, specifically fat, muscle, water and bone, and is an important component of overall health status. Imbalances between BC compartments may be associated with clinical outcomes, such as cardiometabolic diseases, physical dysfunction and mortality. Despite its importance, BC assessment methods are often limited by cost, safety, and technical complexity. Three-dimensional optical (3DO) body scanners have emerged as novel, non-invasive, accessible, and feasible approaches for BC assessment; however, these emerging techniques require validation in pediatrics, especially when obesity is present, to ensure they are ready for clinical use.
Applying two novel 3DO systems in adolescents, this study aims to:
1) assess the validity (accuracy) of 3DO body scanners compared to the gold-standard method;
2) assess the precision of the 3DO BC estimates by test-retest comparison; and
3) compare the validity and precision of the 3DO BC estimates of adolescents with and without obesity.
We hypothesize that these techniques will prove to be valid and precise in the target population. By providing cost-effective and accessible digital health resources, we expect to integrate these technologies into current clinical practices, including remote and/or underserved areas. This will remove economic and social barriers to health service accessibility, utilization, and efficacy, and guide a more tailored pediatric obesity management.
If you are interested in having a research coordinator reach out to you to go over more details about how you/you child can participate, please fill in this form here: [consent to contact]
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out by email: body3d@ualberta.ca
This study is currently recruiting through physician/ clinical referral.
For more information, please reach out to our study coordinator Alice at metfiber@ualberta.ca
MetFiber Study: Fiber supplementation and metformin combination therapy in adolescents with severe obesity and insulin resistance: interactions with the gut microbiome
MetFiber Study: Fiber supplementation and metformin combination therapy in adolescents with severe obesity and insulin resistance: interactions with the gut microbiome
Adolescents with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), a chronic disease related to high blood sugar levels, are at an increased risk of developing long-term, irreversible health complications in adulthood. Insulin resistance, characterized by reduced responsiveness of the body's cells to insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar), is the initial stage of T2DM development. Traditional treatments for T2DM, such as diet and exercise, have demonstrated limited success. Thus, there is a need for treatment strategies to prevent T2DM in high-risk youth.
Metformin therapy, a commonly prescribed medication for diabetes, partly exerts its effects by altering the composition and functions of gut microbes. Furthermore, dietary fiber has demonstrated to promote weight loss and enhance insulin function, also partly through its impact on gut microbes. However, the combined treatment of metformin and fiber has not yet been investigated in adolescents with obesity and insulin resistance.
Our objective is to evaluate the effects of a dietary fiber mix supplement, metformin, and the combination of both treatments over 6 months on metabolism, inflammation, body composition (e.g., fat, muscle), and gut microbes. We aim to recruit 45 adolescents with obesity, insulin resistance, and a family history of T2DM.
Considering the potential improvement in insulin resistance with both high-fiber diets and metformin, we anticipate that the combination treatment will be more effective than either therapy alone for improving the health of adolescents with obesity and insulin resistance. These effects may be mediated by positive changes in gut microbe composition and functions.
Semaglutide's Potential change on Energy Expenditure Dynamics: "SPEED" Study
Semaglutide's Potential change on Energy Expenditure Dynamics: "SPEED" Study
The SPEED is a pilot study that aims to understand how the medication semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy ® ), which helps individuals to improve health parameters, lose weight and treat type 2 diabetes, influences their body's energy utilization. When a person loses weight, the amount of energy they use is reduced, and they often feel hungrier, making it harder to maintain the weight loss. Semaglutide appears promising in controlling appetite and reducing weight, but its impact on the way our bodies burn calories remains a topic of debate. For this reason, we will assess energy metabolism in several ways and examine body composition (e.g., fat and muscle mass) to understand how changes in these tissues during weight loss could influence the body’s use of energy. Figure 1 provides an overview of the study's research question.
Figure 1. Overview of the SPEED study research question.
This figure shows two main ways we expected semaglutide to influence energy metabolism. First, it may change total energy expenditure by affecting how much energy the body uses during sleep, rest, physical activity, or digestion. Second, it may alter body composition—such as fat and muscle mass—which also plays an important role in how much energy the body burns overall.
Inclusion criteria:
We are recruiting 20 adults (18 to 50 years old) who live with obesity and type 2 diabetes (diagnosed ≥6 months), and are about to start using semaglutide subcutaneously at a dose of up to 2.4 mg per week for 6 months based on an endocrinologist prescription and are willing to acquire the medication on their own or through private health insurance.
Assessments:
During the 6-month follow-up, we will evaluate how participants’ bodies use energy in different situations, including resting, physical activity, eating, and sleeping. These assessments will take place at three main time points, each involving two study visits, all conducted at the University of Alberta – North Campus:
1) Baseline: before starting semaglutide
2) 13-week: an interim assessment to examine early changes
3) 26-week: the final assessment after reaching the full dose
Between the two visits at each time point, participants will be asked to complete some at-home tasks over 15 days. These include 14-day urine collection to assess energy metabolism using a gold-standard method, wearing a small accelerometer sticker on the thigh to measure physical activity, and completing a 3-day food record. These tasks help us track energy metabolism and health measures during daily life.
In addition, energy metabolism will be measured three times in a highly controlled setting using a metabolic chamber (see figure below on the left). This whole-room calorimetry unit is a gold-standard method – one of only two in Canada and the only one in Western Canada—that allows us to precisely measure different components of energy metabolism while participants follow a structured schedule and a standardized meal plan. At baseline and at week 26, the assessment will last 24 hours. At week 13, only resting metabolic rate will be assessed, and this session will last approximately 75 minutes.
We will also examine other factors, such as body composition (e.g., muscle and fat mass), using gold-standard equipment and physical function tests will be done. Blood tests will be collected twice during the study and can be completed at any Alberta Precision Labs location. The figure below on the right illustrates the additional measurements that will be followed at each study visit.
This comprehensive health assessment will help us understand whether semaglutide can prevent the body from slowing down its energy use after weight loss. We aim to determine whether semaglutide may be a more effective treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes, particularly for individuals who do not respond well to standard approaches such as nutrition and exercise. Ultimately, our findings could support the development of more personalized treatments and contribute to efforts to address obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The benefits of participating in this study include recommendations for healthy nutrition, physical activity, and behavioural strategies. At the end of the study, will provide a comprehensive health assessment report, with detailed information on energy metabolism, body composition, physical function, blood work, and results from all other study assessments. As a token of appreciation, participants will receive a gift card at the end of the study.
The SPEED Study is currently enrolling through physician referral only.
To learn more, please reach out to our research coordinator Giovanna at speed25@ualberta.ca
NOW RECRUITING!
NOW RECRUITING!
GOCarer: A Digital Support Program for Caregivers of Children with Genetic Obesity Conditions
GOCarer: A Digital Support Program for Caregivers of Children with Genetic Obesity Conditions
GoCarer is a digital health project focused on developing evidence-informed educational modules and online resources to support caregivers of children living with rare genetic obesity conditions, such as Prader-Willi syndrome. The project uses web-based delivery and AI-supported educational features to enhance accessibility, engagement, and knowledge translation, supporting caregivers as they navigate complex medical and psychosocial challenges. Caregivers who are enrolled will be asked to fill in a series of questionnaires/surveys before accessing the modules and again afterwards.
Email: gocarer@ualberta.ca
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