Pennington Biomedical Research Center

This study looks at whether people who sleep 6.5 hours or less per night can improve their heart health and blood sugar by eating only during an 8-hour window each day. Researchers will measure blood pressure and insulin resistance before and after the eating schedule change. The…

This study is testing whether giving insulin through a vein every five minutes for two hours, once a week for six months, can improve how the body uses sugar and how well people with Alzheimer's think. Eight adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer's will take part. The goal is to …

This study looks at whether a diet rich in lean pork can improve blood vessel function and reduce hot flashes in perimenopausal women who are overweight or obese. Thirty women will try both a pork-heavy diet and a plant-based diet for four weeks each, with a break in between. Res…

This study looks at how healthy infants aged 1 to 3 months burn energy. Researchers will use special chambers and water tests to measure energy use, along with body fat and activity levels. The goal is to learn more about infant development and overnutrition, not to test a treatm…

This study tests whether a smartwatch can automatically detect when parents and children eat or drink, both in a lab and during daily life. Thirty-five parent-child pairs will wear the watch and use phone prompts to log meals, while video recordings confirm actual eating. The goa…

This study looks at whether losing weight and breathing low-oxygen air (like at high altitude) can help people with obesity absorb more iron. Iron deficiency is common in obesity, possibly due to inflammation. The study will measure iron absorption before and after a 6-week progr…

This study looks at the health habits of 100 young people in the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program, including staff and cadets. Researchers will measure things like body fat, depression, anxiety, stress, and coping skills. The goal is to create a training program t…

This study looks at how fat tissue changes when people gain weight from overeating. Researchers will ask 58 overweight adults to either maintain their weight or eat 30% more calories for a short time. By tracking fat cell growth and other changes, they hope to understand why some…

This study aims to collect body composition data from 40 healthy adults to develop better measurement methods for cancer patients. Participants will undergo tests like sodium bromide and deuterium dilution to measure muscle mass and body water. The study does not involve any trea…

This study looks at whether the ammonia in your breath can help detect malnutrition. Researchers will take breath and blood samples from 12 adults, some with and some without malnutrition, and compare the results. A small group will also drink special beverages and fast for two d…

This study looks at how GLP-1 based weight loss medications change muscle and bone health in people with obesity. About 50 adults aged 18-50 with a BMI of 30-40 will be followed for 6 months. Some will also follow a diet and exercise program to see if that helps protect muscle an…

This study aims to understand how the body defends its weight by measuring energy use and intake after a short fast. Twelve men and women who are either underweight or have obesity will fast for two days, then eat freely for two days in a special chamber. The results will help de…

This study looks at how much iron healthy US adults actually need. Current guidelines are based mostly on European data, so researchers want to update them for Americans. About 300 men and premenopausal women aged 18–50 will take a safe, stable iron isotope and give blood samples…

This study looks at the health, diet, and fitness of 600 U.S. Army soldiers. Researchers will check things like heart health, body composition, mental well-being, and nutrition. The goal is to understand how to keep soldiers healthy and ready for duty. No treatment or medication …

This pilot study will compare two diets—one high in ultra-processed foods and one typical American diet—in 6 adults with overweight or obesity. The goal is not to treat or cure, but to see if the study approach works and to gather data for planning larger future trials. Participa…