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Obesity and OverweightBATONNCT06878989

Adaptation of Human Brown Adipose Tissue to Calorie Restriction

A study testing Caloric restriction diet and Weight maintenance diet in people with Obesity and Overweight, run by Universidad de Granada at 1 site in Spain.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The BATON study investigates how human brown adipose tissue (BAT) adapts to a controlled caloric restriction diet in young adults with obesity. A weight maintenance diet group will be compared to a group following a diet designed to induce an 8-10% weight loss over a 12-16 week period. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 30 years
Conditions the study is for
Obesity and Overweight
What is being tested?
Caloric restriction diet and Weight maintenance diet
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteSpain
Study dates
25 Jan 2025to Dec 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 30 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Body mass index (BMI) of 27-40 kg/m², with a body fat percentage (determined by DXA, Hologic Wi) exceeding 25% in men and 30% in women.
  • Reported stable body weight over the preceding 3 months (body weight changes of less than 3%).
  • Laboratory safety test results (general biochemistry and complete blood count) within the normal reference range or with abnormalities deemed clinically insignificant by the medical research team and not requiring pharmacological treatment.
  • Adequate venous access for blood sampling required by the procedures described in this protocol and absence of needle, blood, or medical procedure phobia.
  • Readiness and ability to consume all foods included in the assessments and dietary intervention.
  • Ability to understand and comply with study procedures, as assessed by the research team.
  • Availability to participate in the study.
  • Commitment to completing the study regardless of the assigned group.

Who cannot join

  • Diagnosis or presence of signs or symptoms that, in the opinion of the research team, may contraindicate the dietary intervention or any of the procedures included in the study.
  • Diagnosis or history of metabolic (including any type of diabetes mellitus), hematologic, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immune, hepatic, renal, urologic, or psychiatric diseases that could interfere with study outcomes or protocol adherence.
  • History of any surgical procedure that, in the opinion of the research team, could alter energy metabolism or digestive function during the course of the study.
  • Having been exposed to medical procedures involving an estimated radiation dose exceeding 5 mSv in the past 5 years or 10 mSv over a lifetime.
  • Use of medications or supplements that are known to alter body weight or appetite.
  • Weight loss exceeding 10% in the past two years or more than 5% in the past six months, unless completed weight recovery has occurred.
Show all 19Show fewer
  • Adherence to unconventional dietary patterns, such as vegan or fasting diets, or inability to tolerate the foods provided during the study.
  • Pregnancy, plans to become pregnant within the next two years, postpartum period (within 12 months after delivery), or lactation.
  • Perimenopausal status, defined as the presence of irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal changes indicative of perimenopause, or menopausal symptoms.
  • Participation in any type of nutritional intervention or treatment within the past three months.
  • Diagnosis or risk factors for the development of an eating disorder.
  • Frequent disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle.
  • Clinically significant abnormalities in gastric emptying, current diagnosis of any form of diabetes, blood pressure exceeding 160/90 mmHg, or resting heart rate below 50 or above 100 beats per minute (while seated), regardless of stable antihypertensive medication use.
  • Active or untreated malignant disease or remission from a clinically significant malignant disease for less than five years prior to the evaluation.
  • History of drug or alcohol abuse or a positive drug test, unless due to a medication prescribed by a healthcare professional.
  • Smoking, vaping, or habitual use of tobacco products, unless abstinent for at least 72 consecutive hours during the past four weeks.
  • Habitual caffeine consumption exceeding the equivalent of three espresso coffees per day (225 mg/day).
  • Being a direct relative or household member of the research team personnel.
  • Any other condition that, in the opinion of the research team, contraindicates study participation.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Spain1 site
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada.

    Granada, Granada, 18007

Other trials in Spain

About this study

Official title: Adaptation of Human Brown Adipose Tissue to Calorie Restriction (BATON)

The BATON study investigates how human brown adipose tissue (BAT) adapts to a controlled caloric restriction diet in young adults with obesity. A weight maintenance diet group will be compared to a group following a diet designed to induce an 8-10% weight loss over a 12-16 week period. Outcome assessments will include advanced technologies such as PET-CT and molecular analyses of BAT. The overarching goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the role of human BAT on the regulation of body weight.

Being tested
Caloric restriction diet, Weight maintenance diet
Keywords
Energy metabolism, Metabolic Health, Brown adipose tissue (BAT), Thermogenesis, Obesity
Medical subject headings
Obesity, Overweight

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Caloric restriction dietBehavioural

    Dietary intervention consisting on a meal plan designed to induce an 8-10% weight loss over a 12-16 week period.

  • Weight maintenance dietBehavioural

    Dietary intervention consisting on a meal plan designed to maintain a stable body weight for up to 16 weeks.

Study groups in NCT06878989
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Weight loss groupExperimentalNot described
Receives: Behavioral: Caloric restriction diet
Control groupExperimentalNot described
Receives: Behavioral: Weight maintenance diet

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. BAT volume

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  2. BAT 18F-FDG uptake upon cold exposure

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  3. BAT UCP-1 protein content

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  4. Mean adipocyte size

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

Secondary outcomes (63)
  1. BAT transcriptomics (RNA sequencing)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  2. Weight (kg)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  3. Waist circumference (cm)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  4. Hip circumference (cm)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  5. Resting Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  6. Resting Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  7. Fat mass (kg) by DXA

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  8. Fat free mass (kg) by DXA

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  9. Fat mass (kg) by Bioimpedanciometry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  10. Fat free mass (kg) by Bioimpedanciometry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  11. Body Mass Index (kg/m2)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  12. Resting Energy Expenditure (kcal/day) measured by indirect calorimetry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  13. Ad libitum energy intake (kcal) measured in a test meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  14. Meal-induced thermogenesis (% of resting energy expenditure) measured by indirect calorimetry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  15. Resting heart rate variability

    RMSSD, SDNN

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  16. Maximal fat oxidation (g/min) by indirect calorimetry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  17. Physical activity (counts) measured by accelerometry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  18. Sedentary time (min) measured by accelerometry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  19. Habitual food consumption collected by a food frequency questionnaire

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  20. Serum total cholesterol (mg/dl)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  21. Serum C-reactive protein (mg/l)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  22. Serum thyrotropin (µU/mL)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  23. Serum alanine aminotransferase (U/L)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  24. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (U/L)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  25. Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (U/L)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  26. Serum triglycerides (mg/dl)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  27. Serum LDL cholesterol (mg/dL)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  28. Serum HDL cholesterol (mg/dl)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  29. Serum glucose (mg/dl)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  30. Serum insulin (U/ml)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  31. Serum hemoglobin A1c (mmol/mol)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  32. Serum triiodothyronine (ng/dL)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  33. Serum thyroxine (ng/dL)

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  34. Sleep time (min) measured by accelerometry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  35. Handgrip strength (kg) measured using a dynamometer

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  36. Meal-induced changes in insulin concentration (U/ml) in response to a standardized meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  37. Meal-induced changes in glucose concentration (mmol/L) in response to a standardized meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  38. Meal-induced changes in lactate concentrations (mmol/l) in response to a standardized meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  39. Meal-induced changes in triglycerides concentrations (mg/dl) in response to a standardized meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  40. Meal-induced changes in total cholesterol concentrations (mg/dL) in response to a standardized meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  41. Meal-induced changes in free fatty acids (mmol/L) in response to a standardized meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  42. Meal-induced changes in glycerol concentrations (mmol/l) in response to a standardized meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  43. Meal-induced changes in 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations (mmol/L) in response to a standardized meal

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  44. Functional mobility measured by "Timed Up and Go (TUG)" test

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  45. Walking speed (m/s) measured by a gait speed test

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  46. Independence in activities of daily living (ADL) measured by "Barthel Index"

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  47. Food cravings measured using the "Food Craving Inventory" questionnaire

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  48. Control of eating behavior measured using the "Control of Eating Weekly Questionnaire"

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  49. Cognitive restriction of food intake measured using the "Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire"

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  50. Food disinhibition measured using the "Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire"

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  51. Subjective hunger measured using the "Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire"

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  52. Binge eating behavior measured using the "Binge Eating Questionnaire"

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  53. Fasting appetite-related sensations measured using "Visual Analogue Scales (VAS)"

    The scales range from 0 to 100

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  54. Meal-induced changes in appetite-related sensations measured using "Visual Analogue Scales (VAS)" in response to a standardized meal

    The scales range from 0 to 100

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  55. Energy efficiency (W/Kcal) while cycling, assessed by indirect calorimetry

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  56. Vastus lateralis thickness (cm) measured by ultrasound

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  57. Subcutaneous fat thickness (cm) measured by ultrasound

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  58. Superficial fat thickness (cm) measured by ultrasound

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  59. Preperitoneal fat thickness (cm) measured by ultrasound

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

  60. Carbohydrate intake (g/day) collected through three 24-hour recalls

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  61. Fat intake (g/day) collected through three 24-hour recalls

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  62. Protein intake (g/day) collected through three 24-hour recalls

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

  63. Fiber intake (g/day) collected through three 24-hour recalls

    Measured: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted17 Mar 2025
  2. Study start25 Jan 2025
  3. Primary completionAug 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
30 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06878989
Sponsor's protocol ID
GSD-2024-004
Other IDs
PID2021-127582OA-I00
Acronym
BATON
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
12 Feb 2025
Last updated
12 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Caloric restriction diet and Weight maintenance diet in people with Obesity and Overweight, run by Universidad de Granada at 1 site in Spain.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 19 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

BAT volume (time frame: Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 May 2026.

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