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Examination of Metabolic Characteristics in the Predisposition for Weight Gain

Award Number: F32DK145220
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 09/17/2027

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Examination of Metabolic Characteristics in the Predisposition for Weight Gain - PROJECT SUMMARY Obesity, often characterized by weight gain from over-nutrition, is one of the greatest risk factors of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Obesity is evident in >40% of US adults, with prevalence projected to reach 50% by 2030. Driven by a multitude of both modifiable and non-modifiable factors, there is observed variation in the magnitude of weight gained in both controlled and free-living settings. This observation was repeated in the largest controlled overfeeding trial to date, EAT (NCT01672632; n=35), and in the 8-year weight maintenance data from the Look AHEAD trial (NCT00017953; n=4,127). Individual factors including genetics, insulin sensitivity, and substrate utilization have been shown to play a significant role in the predisposition for weight gain. However, the combined roles of factors driving variability in weight gain remain poorly understood. The overarching goal of this innovative F32 fellowship is to identify metabolic factors predictive of weight gain AHEAD). In Aim 1, we will leverage state-of-the-art metabolic phenotyping methodology to identify metabolic characteristics that explain variation in two differing weight gain paradigms: controlled overfeeding (EAT) and prospective weight regain (Look AHEAD-ancillary study n=59). In Sub-Aim 1, we will use untargeted metabolomics to explain additional variability in weight gain in response to controlled overfeeding . Aim 2 will then utilize machine learning approaches to confirm predictive factors of weight regain utilizing routine clinical measures (Look AHEAD). Addressing these aims will provide new information regarding the “ground truth” of metabolic predisposition towards weight gain and generate evidence for characterizing a phenotype of likely weight gain that will have future implications in guiding personalized approaches to healthy weight management. This secondary analysis will be supported by mentored and hands-on training in 1) metabolic phenotyping methods, 2) advanced biostatistics including machine learning, and 3) professional and career development. The applicant will work closely with her primary sponsor, Dr. Ursula White (an expert in metabolic phenotyping), and her co-sponsors Dr. Leanne Redman (expert in energy metabolism and precision nutrition), Dr. Shengping Yang (expert in biostatistics and machine learning), and Dr. Christopher Newgard (expert in metabolomics analyses) and consult Dr. Diana Thomas (expert in machine learning and predictive modeling). This comprehensive training plan, in combination with the resources available through Pennington Biomedical Research Center, provides ideal conditions to foster the applicant's future independent research career. This is an exceptional mentoring and training opportunity to build new expertise in metabolic phenotyping, adding to the applicant's existing expertise as a registered dietician and nutritional scientists leading to the applicant's ability to contribute to high impact cross-disciplinary approaches to address questions regarding tailoring dietary approaches for healthy weight management and improved cardiometabolic health.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $79,552 )
2026	2026	PENNINGTON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER	6400 PERKINS RD	BATON ROUGE	LA	70808	EAST BATON ROUGE	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	3/19/2026	NEW	$79,552
														Subtotal = $79,552

Grand Total All Awards = $79,552

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Examination of Metabolic Characteristics in the Predisposition for Weight Gain

Award Number: F32DK145220

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 09/17/2027

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