Discovering Determinants of Food Intake by Application of Artificial Intelligence to Complex, High-Dimensional Data

June 9, 2026 updated by: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Discovering Determinants of Food Intake by Application of Machine Learning to Complex, High-Dimensional Data

Background:

Many people in the United States are overweight or obese. Researchers want to learn why some people can overeat and not gain weight, whereas others who do not overeat still gain weight.

Objective:

To study factors related to food intake that can lead to weight gain over time.

Eligibility:

Healthy adults aged 18 to 60 years.

Design:

Participants will have 6 to 8 clinic visits over 2 years. The first 3 or 4 study visits will be 1 week apart.

Procedures during visits may include the following:

Collection of blood, hair, urine, and stool samples.

Measurement of the waist, neck, thighs, and other parts of the body.

Dual energy x-ray absorption (DXA) scan: Participants will lie still on a padded table while they are scanned to measure body fat.

Physical activity monitor: Participants will wear a monitor on the wrist for 2 weeks.

Cognitive tests: Participants will perform tasks to measure attention, memory, and brain function.

Continuous glucose monitor. Participants will wear a device that measures their blood glucose for 1 week.

Mixed meal test and stomach emptying test. Participants will drink a breakfast shake and swallow a dose of acetaminophen. Blood will be drawn over the next 4 hours.

Resting metabolic rate: Participants will wear a clear hood over their head while they rest for 20 minutes. The hood will measure the gases they breathe.

Breakfast and lunch test. Participants will eat a standard breakfast. They will be allowed to select from foods and eat as much as they like at lunch. They will be asked how hungry or full they are.

Questionnaires. Participants will answer questions about their health, sleep, physical activity, and eating.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Detailed Description

Study Description:

The study will be an outpatient study with 6-7 total visits, 3-4 completed at baseline and 3 follow-up visits, occurring over 2 years. We will collect broad, multiscale data (e.g., clinical, genetic, microbiome, energy expenditure, physical activity, psychosocial). Then, we will apply artificial intelligence algorithms with the goal of identifying novel determinants of food intake.

Objectives:

Primary Objective:

To identify novel determinants of objectively measured ad libitum energy intake using broad, multiscale data.

Secondary Objectives:

  1. To investigate whether determinants of ad libitum energy intake predict changes in weight, adiposity, and markers of metabolic health.
  2. To determine associations of metabolic measures with psychosocial, hormonal, or other metabolic markers
  3. To identify novel determinants of ad libitum self-reported energy and nutrient intake

Endpoints:

Primary Endpoint: Energy intake during ad libitum meal test, including total energy and macronutrient specific energy intake (e.g., carbohydrate, fat, protein) measured during the initial baseline period (visit 3). The potential determinants (broad multiscale data) will be collected during visits 1, 2, and 3.

Secondary Endpoints:

  1. Measures at 0.5, 1, and 2 years of body weight, BMI, fat mass, body fat percentage, HbA1c, and fasting glucose, lipids, insulin, and c-peptide.
  2. Psychosocial measures (visits 1-6), metabolic measures (e.g., fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipids, insulin, and c-peptide), resting metabolic rate, total energy expenditure, and physical activity
  3. Energy and nutrient intake from ASA-24. The potential determinants (broad multiscale data) will be collected during visits 1, 2, and 3.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
800

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Arizona
      • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85004
        • NIDDK, Phoenix, 850 N. 5th Street 7th Floor
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

800 males and females, age 18-60 years who are in good health

Description

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA

To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all the following criteria:

  1. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
  2. Age 18 to 60
  3. In good general health as evidenced by medical history and physical exam

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

  1. Weight >=204 kg (>=450 pounds, maximum weight of the iDXA machine as per manufacturer s manual), or weight <45.4 kg (<100 pounds, minimum weight allowed based on the NIH guidelines of blood drawing for research purposes)
  2. Unstable weight (+/-5%) within past 6 months as determined by volunteer self-report.
  3. Current use of medications, dietary supplements, or alternative therapies known to alter energy metabolism
  4. Inability to consume provided food based on food allergy or intolerance or other food restrictions (e.g., kosher, vegan, or vegetarian)
  5. Current pregnancy, or recent pregnancy within past 6 months or currently lactating
  6. History or clinical manifestation of:

6i. Diabetes, including fasting glucose >= 126 mg/dl or HbA1c >= 6.5%, or history

6ii. Surgery for treatment of obesity

6iii. Endocrine disorders, such as Cushing s disease, pituitary disorders, or hypo- and hyperthyroidism (TSH <0.1 or >= 10 uIU/mL)

6iv. Pulmonary disorders including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other lung disease that which would limit ability to follow the protocol

6v. History of coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and peripheral artery disease that which would limit ability to follow the protocol

6vi. Liver disease, including cirrhosis, active hepatitis B or C based on history, and AST or ALT >= 3x normal

6vii. Gastrointestinal disease including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, or other malabsorptive disorders by history

6viii. Hematologic disorders including significant anemia (male hemoglobin < 13.0 g/dL or female hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dL)

6ix. Renal disease including abnormal kidney function (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m^2)Subjects page 4, Eligibility Criteria

6x. Central nervous system disease, including cerebrovascular accidents, dementia, and neurodegenerative disorders by history

6xi. Cancer requiring treatment in the past 5 years, except for nonmelanoma skin cancers or cancers that have clearly been cured

6xii. Infectious disease such as active tuberculosis, HIV (by self-report), chronic coccidiomycosis or other chronic infections that might influence appetite

6xiii. Diagnosis of binge eating disorder, anorexia, or major psychiatric disorders including depression, schizophrenia, and psychosis

6xiv. Menopausal transition (late) to early postmenopause (e.g., >= 2 skipped cycles and an interval of amenorrhea >= 60 days and <12 months)

7. Alcohol abuse as defined by >= 8-point score on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire interview

8. Inability to provide informed consent

9. Any disorder, unwillingness, or inability not specifically mentioned above may serve as criteria for exclusion at the discretion of the investigators, such as those that jeopardize the safety of the participant or others, or would interfere with completion of study procedures

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
1
800 males and females, age 18-60 years who are in good health

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
To identify novel determinants of objectively measured ad libitum energy intake using broad, multiscale data.
Time Frame: 24-28 months
Energy intake during ad libitum meal test, including total energy and macronutrient specific energy intake (e.g., carbohydrate, fat, protein) measured during the initial baseline period (visit 3). The potential determinants (broad multiscale data) will be collected during visits 1, 2, and 3.
24-28 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
To investigate whether determinants of ad libitum energy intake predict changes in weight, adiposity, and markers of metabolichealth
Time Frame: 24-48 months
Measures at 0.5, 1, and 2 years of body weight, BMI, fat mass,body fat percentage, HbA1c, and fasting glucose, lipids, insulin,and c-peptide.
24-48 months
To determine associations of metabolic measures with psychosocial, hormonal, or other metabolic markers
Time Frame: 24-48 months
Psychosocial measures (visits 1-6), metabolic measures (e.g., fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipids, insulin, and c-peptide), resting metabolic rate, total energy expenditure, and physical activity
24-48 months
To identify novel determinants of ad libitum self-reported energy and nutrient intake
Time Frame: 24-28 months
Energy and nutrient intake from ASA-24. The potential determinants (broad multiscale data) will be collected during visits 1, 2, and 3
24-28 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Susanne M Votruba, Ph.D., National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
July 1, 2037

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 1, 2037

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 9, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 9, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 5, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 10001858
  • 001858-DK

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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