Research
Research Areas of Interest
Obesity
An Addiction-Based Mobile Health Weight Loss Intervention with Coaching
The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a smartphone app designed to help adolescents manage overeating behaviors. Based on the theory of addiction-driven behaviors, this app aims to reduce the displacement mechanism that drives overeating by helping adolescents develop healthier coping strategies. The study will test the app and measure its impact on weight, BMI, diet, snacking habits, and addictive behaviors related to food. By understanding the factors that influence engagement with the app, we hope to optimize its use and effectiveness for this population.
Contact Ashley Huynh, Clinical Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or 310-893-9522.
Referral of Adolescents to Bariatric Surgery
This mixed methods research study aims to identify the key factors that influence pediatric health care providers when referring adolescents with severe obesity for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). Through interviews with pediatric endocrinologists and general pediatricians, the research seeks to understand the barriers and motivators behind these referral decisions. The insights from this study will inform strategies to increase appropriate referrals, ultimately reducing the burden of obesity-related chronic diseases at the individual and population levels.
Weight Maintenance following GLP1/GLP1-GIPR agonist-induced Weight Loss in pediatric population
Clinically, the use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) medications has changed the course of weight management in children. We are now observing youth ≤ 21 years of age who are moving from obesity or severe obesity classification to normal weight and body mass index percentiles. There is little guidance on long-term management of the individuals for maintenance of the lower weight after weight loss. We propose to review the real-life management of individuals needing weight management after effective pharmacological weight management.
Additive Benefits of Addressing Food Insecurity in Adolescents with Obesity
Food insecurity is highly prevalent in children and adolescents with obesity. This is a single arm open label intervention trial that addresses food insecurity for households which have a child with obesity. We are collecting data to address the associations with food insecurity, eating habits and success with obesity treatments.
Contact Angela Martinez, Clinical Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or 310-206-7630.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is increasingly prevalent in pediatric populations, creating a substantial burden on the affected individuals, families and the health care system. Our research aims to better understand the bile acid and microbiome alterations that could contribute to development of T2D, optimize treatment protocols, and ultimately improve long-term outcomes for children and adolescents with diabetes.
A Study of Dulaglutide (LY2189265) 3.0 mg and 4.5 mg in Pediatric Participants With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (AWARD-PEDS PLUS)
The main purpose of this study is to evaluate additional dosing options for dulaglutide in pediatric participants with Type 2 diabetes. Participation in this study will last about eight months.
Contact Marc Abdou, Clinical Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or 310-487-0435.
GLP-1 Agonists as an Adjunct Therapy in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of GLP-1 agonists in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes and overweight or obesity. There is a growing population of patients with type 1 diabetes and obesity that frequently develop insulin resistance, necessitating higher insulin dosing, which in turn exacerbates weight gain. To break this cycle, providers have begun adding GLP-1 agonists as an adjunct therapy to decrease weight, insulin resistance, and total insulin dosing, with the goal of improving long-term outcomes. While published studies in adults suggest that adjunct GLP-1 agonist therapy in T1DM is safe and effective, there is no data available in pediatrics. We plan to perform a small, retrospective chart review of our clinical experience with GLP-1 agonists in pediatric type 1 diabetes.
Infertility
Our research is exploring the causes of infertility in the setting of obesity, as well as investigating the effect of anti-obesity treatments to preserve fertility in individuals at risk.
Effect of Youth Obesity and Weight Loss on Male Reproductive System
This prospective study explores the effects of obesity during puberty and its impact on the male reproductive axis (semen parameters, endocrine axis, seminal microbiome and epigenetics), particularly after undergoing metabolic bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy/SG) or using glucagon-like peptide 1 analogs (GLP1). The study compares young men with normal weight and those with obesity to determine how obesity and surgical and medical weight loss influence the male reproductive system. We are focused on understanding the metabolic, hormonal and psychological factors that affect fertility in this population.
Contact Ashley Huynh, Clinical Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or 310-893-9522.
Next-Generation Outcomes
Weight loss treatments for obesity, such as medications and surgical options, can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s health. Our research aims to understand how these treatments impact future generations, particularly in relation to glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, growth and appetite outcomes.
Next Generation Effects of Obesity Treatments
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of commonly used obesity treatments, glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs (GLP-1s) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance during pregnancy and explore these changes in placental protein expression. The study will enroll a cohort of mothers who have undergone SG, have used GLP-1 analogs, or have not undergone SG or not used GLP-1 analogs and have body mass index (BMI)-matched controls without intervention in the second half of pregnancy. The goal is to determine how obesity treatments impact maternal and fetal health, with a focus on long-term effects for future generations.
Contact Ashley Huynh, Clinical Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or 310-893-9522.
Down Syndrome
Effectiveness of Anti-Obesity Pharmacotherapy in Individuals with Down Syndrome and Obesity
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common and recognizable form of intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) in the United States. Obesity greatly impacts the quality of life for individuals with DS and presents an additional barrier to their inclusion in society. Research has demonstrated that obesity has a negative impact on community participation, independent living and self-esteem. Despite the chronic burden of obesity in the DS population, most weight loss strategies have focused on behavioral modification, with little to no data describing pharmacological or surgical interventions. We are collecting data on the effectiveness and safety of the use of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy in individuals with DS.