Pennington Biomedical Research Center needs volunteers for a new weight loss study that could help researchers better understand how the body regulates weight.
The study, called DEIP, stands for Dual Interactive Process. Researchers want to learn how people with different body types respond to fasting and feeding. The goal is to improve knowledge about weight regulation and help shape future work with GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, Ozempic, tirzepatide and Mounjaro.
Participants will stay at Pennington Biomedical for about five days inside a metabolic chamber. Research dietitian Kelsey McGuire described it as a “glorified dorm room” that measures how many calories a person burns while simply existing in the room.
The study includes people ages 18 to 40 with a BMI below 20 or above 30. Participants must also have stable body weight for the past two months. The full study takes about a month from screening to completion, but the main commitment is the five-day inpatient stay.
During the study, participants will follow different feeding states. They will start with a normal schedule of breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. Then they will fast for two days with water only. After that, they will enter a refeeding phase with Ensure Plus.
Researchers will collect lab work, body scans and other health data throughout the process. Participants can receive some of that information after the study. McGuire said volunteers can bring laptops, gaming systems or work-from-home setups during the stay.
Participants who complete the DEIP study can earn $1,500.
Pennington also has other clinical trials underway, including studies involving avocados, almonds, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, exercise and GLP-1 medications.
Anyone interested can learn more or sign up at pbrc.edu/clinicaltrials.