An observational study in Healthy Obesity, Metabolically, sponsored by ETH Zurich. Recruiting at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-30.
Sponsored by ETH Zurich · Observational
The main goal of this study is to gain a thorough understanding, which specific factors drive the unhealthy sequelae of obesity. Therefore, the investigators want to understand:
The hypothesis is, that changes in the molecular regulation of adipose tissue as well as in adipose tissue cellular composition are responsible for the development of a rather metabolic healthy or unhealthy phenotype. Knowledge of these factors will be used to generate new diagnostic concepts for personalized risk prediction and will furthermore serve as the basis to develop novel strategies to target adipose tissue to improve metabolic health.
27 studies on the registry are indexed under Obesity, Metabolically Benign; 8 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 300 is above the median of 134 across 10 observational studies indexed under Obesity, Metabolically Benign.
Browse Obesity, Metabolically Benign studies →ETH Zurich is the lead sponsor of 20 studies on the registry; 12 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
obese participants
Inclusion Criteria:
Inclusion criteria for initially healthy group
Normal glucose metabolism
Normal lipid metabolism
o LDL-cholesterol \< 5.0 mmol/l
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HbA1c
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Biopsy and archival tissue
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Rate of conversion
The primary endpoint is the conversion (through study completions, 10 years) from obese but metabolically healthy subjects into obese patients in a pathological metabolic state, through study completion an average of 1 year.
Time frame: Conversion will be driven by the occurrence of pathological findings caused by obesity (metabolic or cardiovascular pathologies). Through study completion, an average of 1 year.
Rate of identification of factors
The secondary endpoint is the identification of factors alone or in combination (through study completions, 10 years), that related to this conversion from healthy into pathological obesity. This includes factors like: DEXA scans, White Adipose Tissue, lipid and glucose metabolism, vital signs, physical activity, general health and quality of life status...
Time frame: Conversion will be driven by the occurrence of pathological findings caused by obesity (metabolic or cardiovascular pathologies), through study completion, an average of 1 year.
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
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Obesity, Metabolically Benign →
ETH Zurich