Studies genetic causes of severe obesity starting in early childhood
Looks for rare genes behind severe obesity in children and adults diagnosed before age 6.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Columbia University
- Where
- Boston and New York, United StatesSee the 2 sites
- Trial code
- Registry title
- Study to Investigate Genetic Causes of Severe Early Childhood Onset Obesity.
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 500 people, planned
- Started
- Feb 2014
- Expected to end
- Dec 2030
- Type of study
- Observational
- Record updated
- 21 October 2025
Who can take part
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for children and adults who had severe obesity from early childhood, before 6 years of age. Researchers will test for genetic causes.
- Age
- Up to 80 years. BMI above the 99th percentile must have been recorded before age 6.
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Severe obesity that started early: BMI above the 99th percentile, documented before age 6.
- Earlier treatment
- Not stated. People with prolonged steroid use, prior cancer or a prior transplant cannot join.
- Biomarker or test result
- No specific marker is asked for. Saliva or blood will be taken for genetic testing.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Known genetic cause of obesity
- Known hormone (endocrine) cause of obesity
- Brain or nerve tumor, injury or surgery
- Prior cancer or transplant
- Known autoimmune disease
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 8 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- BMI > 99th percentile documented at age < 6 years of age
Who cannot take part
- Neurologic tumor, trauma or surgery
- Prolonged steroid use
- Prior malignancy or transplant
- Known autoimmune diseases
- Known genetic causes of obesity
- Known Endocrine causes of obesity
- Edema of a known or unknown cause
Where in United States
- Boston Children's HospitalBoston, United StatesContact: Vidhu Thaker, M.D.No longer taking part
- Columbia University Medical CenterNew York, United StatesContact: Vidhu Thaker, MDTaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
This study aims to investigate genetic causes of early childhood obesity.
Read full original descriptionShow less
The investigators will enroll children and adults with severe early onset obesity (BMI > 99th percentile) diagnosed prior to 6 years of age. The investigators will ask questions about the health and eating behavior of the participants, and perform a brief physical examination. The investigators will collect saliva or blood to perform genetic testing from the participants and invite family members to enroll in the study.
The group in the trial
- Early-onset severe obesity
The study will enroll individuals with early onset severe obesity (BMI \> 99th percentile noted at an age \< 6 years of age). Individuals with a known history of early onset obesity are eligible, regardless of their current age.
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Study to Identify Rare Genetic Variants Causing Severe Early Childhood Obesity
- Plain-language title
- Studies genetic causes of severe obesity starting in early childhoodGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
- Record updated
- 21 October 2025