Weight Loss and Hunger

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Obesity & Overweight

In brief

Weight loss is difficult and weight maintenance even worse. The principles of dieting dictate that to maintain weight loss, one has to eat less calories than they did before the diet. However, there is evidence to show that it may be the diet per se and not the weight loss that makes people more hungry and vulnerable to weight regain. This study will explore whether appetite control can be restored to normal levels through an individually tailored increase in calories after weight loss. If supported, the findings from this study could alter the way we view dieting.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07739095

Run by

University of Ottawa

People needed

40

Starts

2026-09-01

Expected to finish

2028-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-31

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 18-55 years of age;
• non-smoking;
• obese class I-II (30 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 40 kg/m2);
• weight stable (± 2 kg during the 6 months prior to enrollment);
• Sedentary (<2 times/week of 30 min of continuous exercise)
• In addition, Females will be included if:
• premenopausal (2 menses in the 3 months preceding testing, no increase in cycle irregularity in the 12 months preceding testing).

You may not qualify if…

• have a current diagnosis of an axis 1 psychiatric disorder (i.e. mood, anxiety and eating disorders);
• currently use antidepressants, thyroid medication, or any medication that could affect appetite;
• have a history of cardiac problems or symptoms suggestive of any cardiac condition;
• have a current diagnosis or history of diabetes, confirmed by a measure of HbA1c during the screening visit;
• have alcohol intake that exceeds recommendations or alcoholism, or current addictions to opiates, cocaine or stimulants;
• currently taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pressor agents, warfarin, anticonvulsants, phenylbutazone, or tricyclic antidepressants;
• have uncontrolled thyroid disease;
• have any osteoarticular condition, or other reasons that would prevent them from achieving the proposed walking targets.
• In addition, Females will be excluded if they:
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant over the course of the study;
• are peri- or post-menopausal or have had surgically induced menopause.

Where it is running

• University of Ottawa — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.