Vanderbilt Childhood Obesity Registry (VCOR)

February 19, 2026 updated by: Ashley Shoemaker, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
In order to better understand early onset obesity and to identify patients in interested in future research studies, including clinical trials, we aim to develop a registry for patients with early onset obesity.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Obesity is an epidemic effecting the pediatric population. Currently, 17% of children are classified as obese and 32% as overweight. Many of these children develop complications including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and hepatic steatosis. Obesity is a global epidemic that lacks effective treatment options. Obesity has many underlying causes including genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Understanding the genetic basis of obesity may allow for more precisely targeted interventions including specific dietary plans and pharmacologic treatments. The most common cause of genetic obesity is haploinsufficiency of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). In obese adult cohorts, the prevalence of pathogenic MC4R mutations is 1-2%. Commercial testing is available for many obesity syndromes, but the cost is high and charges are not always covered by insurance. Clinicians have little motivation to test patients for MC4R mutations as no treatments are available and it is not clear if genetic testing results change patient behavior. This particular lab and other groups are working to develop novel pharmacologic treatments for obesity syndromes, such as MC4R deficiency. In order to better understand early onset obesity and to identify patients in interested in future research studies, including clinical trials, the investigators aim to develop a registry for patients with early onset obesity.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

3000

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Tennessee
      • Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
        • Vanderbilt University

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

Ages Eligible for Study

2 years to 100 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Children with a history of excessive weight gain.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. BMI >97th percentile for age and gender before 6 years old
  2. Able to give written, informed consent/assent

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome
  2. Use of exogenous steroids or other medications known to cause abnormal weight gain
  3. Cushing's syndrome, untreated growth hormone deficiency or untreated hypothyroidism as an etiology for the obesity
  4. Hypothalamic obesity (obesity due to a brain tumor, head trauma or other brain lesion)
  5. Currently pregnant

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

  • Observational Models: Other
  • Time Perspectives: Other

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Prevalence of genetic mutations in DNA analysis
Time Frame: 5 years
5 years

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ashley Shoemaker, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

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 (Actual)

November 1, 2012

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 31, 2016

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 4, 2016

First Posted (Estimated)

November 8, 2016

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 20, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 19, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 121345

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Data will be shared with collaborators and on a case by case basis. Please contact Dr. Shoemaker for information.

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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