Clinical trial

JOULE - Metabolic Adaptation to Weight Loss in Response to a Behavioural Lifestyle Program With or Without Semaglutide in Adolescents With Obesity

Recruiting now · Phase 4 · 1 countries · Registry ID NCT06852391

Recruiting nowPhase 4Interventional

What this study is about

The Joule MARS study is a single center, randomized, open label clinical trial aiming to explore the metabolic adaptations that occur in response to weight management in adolescents with obesity. Behavioural lifestyle intervention with and without a pharmacological intervention - semaglutide- will be studied. Study participants will be randomized to one of two groups. Group A will follow a behavioral lifestyle program (BLP) alone for 6 months, followed by BLP and treatment with semaglutide for six months. Group B will be enrolled in BLP and semaglutide from baseline to 6 months. The primary research question will assess, in youth aged 12-17 years diagnosed with obesity and enrolled in a weight management program, if the implementation of a BLP together with semaglutide, compared to the implementation of BLP alone for 6 months leads to less adaptive thermogenesis.

A promising-looking record is not the same as confirmed eligibility. The study team must review the full criteria and current recruitment status.

Basic eligibility

Age12 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
Healthy volunteersNot accepted
ConditionObesity (Disorder)

Full registry criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Youth aged 12-17 years * Diagnosed with obesity (BMI ≥2 standard deviations above WHO Reference median) * Enrolled in Growing Health Weight Management or Next Step pediatric clinics (ie. have at least one year of the program remaining). Exclusion Criteria: * Any contraindications for MRI (i.e. claustrophobia, implanted metal, metallic injuries recent tattoo or weight \>300lb. Ineligible for imaging visit only. * Use of atypical anti-psychotics. * Use of the following medication classes: (i.e. Beta-blocker medications, Steatogenic medications, Anti-hyperglycemic medications, HIV drugs, Antidepressants, anxiolytic drugs, anti-psychotic drugs, Thyroid drugs, Antiemetic or amphetamine, dextromethorphan and metoclopramide.) * Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \> 5 x upper range of normal at screening. * Use of glucose lowering or any anti-obesity medication in the previous 3 months. * Known monogenic, syndromic or hypothalamic causes of obesity. * Diagnosis of type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus. * Prior bariatric surgery or liver transplantation. * Alcohol intake exceeding 3 drinks per week or reported cannabis use. * Recent history of cigarette smoking (previous 3 months) - ineligible for imaging only. * History or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 or medullary thyroid cancer. * History of pancreatitis. * Presence of untreated endocrine disorder. * History of an eating disorder and / or history of suicidal ideation * History of a cardiac condition that precludes exercise testing or unable to have exercise testing done in the GHWM pediatric clinic, inability to use a cycle ergometer. Participant who does not have a peak power value obtained in the GHWM pediatric clinic Female who is pregnant, breast-feeding or intends to become pregnant. Female who refuses to use a means of contraception if sexually active. Participation in any interventional clinical study within 90 days before screening.

Treatments and study arms

Semaglutide Pen Injector

Drug

Semaglutide will be delivered by a subcutaneous injection using an injectable pen once weekly. Semaglutide is formulated with 5 approved doses (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg). Treatment will commence with the lowest dose and will be increased every 4 weeks to the maximum tolerable dose where they will remain for the remainder of the treatment. Participants who are taking the drug will have monthly visits to assess any adverse events, dose titration and drug adherence.

Behavioural Lifestyle Program (BLP)

Behavioral

The BLP will be delivered by the Growing Healthy Weight Management (GHWM) pediatric program at McMaster Children's Hospital. GHWM is a family-based program addressing health behaviours (nutritional pattern and eating behaviours, physical activity, sedentary time and sleep) and physical and mental health issues. In Year 1, the program typically includes 2 group sessions and monthly individualized sessions with the participant and their family. The interdisciplinary weight management team is comprised of a registered dietician, exercise physiologist, kinesiologist, social worker and/or psychologist, general pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologists.

Primary outcomes

Measurement of Adaptive thermogenesis6, 12 months

Adaptive thermogenesis will be calculated as the difference between measured and predicted REE after the intervention. Measured REE will be assessed with the participant awake, but at rest, in a whole room indirect calorimeter. Predicted REE will be calculated based on an equation derived using baseline data from this study population as is currently recommended. Variables that will be considered in deriving the equation include fat-free mass, fat mass, age and sex. We will compare adaptive thermogenesis (primary outcome) and work efficiency between the two treatments utilizing linear regression analysis. Separate analyses for males and females will ensure relevance of study findings to both sexes.

Study locations

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McMaster University🇨🇦 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Athena Flores MirandaContact
Aaron ThomasContact
Katherine M Morrison, MD FRCPCPrincipal Investigator