Have you ever heard your doctor mention clinical trials for obesity treatments or come across information about them online? If you’re curious about joining one, it helps to understand what clinical trials are, along with their potential benefits and risks.

Knowing the basics can help you and your doctor decide if a clinical trial might be a good option for you. This article breaks down what you need to know, but be sure to talk with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

What Is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial tests how a specific treatment, such as a medication, surgical procedure, or other therapy, affects people living with a specific health condition. Most treatments are first tested in labs or on animals. Clinical trials are the key next step to see how safe and effective those treatments are in people. Treatments usually must be tested in clinical trials before they can be approved.

Some clinical research studies focus on preventing a condition or detecting it earlier and more accurately. These studies aim to improve care by finding ways to help people sooner.

Other research may look at how certain genes play a role in the development of a condition or whether certain health conditions tend to appear together. While these studies may not test a treatment directly, they’re often still called clinical trials because they help build knowledge about health and disease.

What’s the Focus of Clinical Trials for Obesity?

Clinical trials for obesity explore a wide range of questions — not just about weight loss, but about how obesity affects health and how best to care for people living with it.

Researchers study treatments like medications, surgical procedures, and lifestyle programs to see how safe and effective they are. They also look at ways to support long-term health, including strategies to:

• Improve sleep
• Manage blood sugar
• Reduce inflammation
• Protect heart health

Some studies focus on why certain people are more likely to develop obesity, or why some find it harder to lose weight or maintain weight loss. Others explore how where someone carries weight (such as around the abdomen) may affect their risk for other conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

Clinical trials also examine the impact of obesity on mental health, quality of life, and other chronic conditions. Researchers are asking important questions like, “What is the most effective treatment for obesity?” and “How can we personalize care to meet different needs and goals?”

These are just a few examples of what’s being studied. If you’re interested in learning more, organizations and sites, including Mayo Clinic and ClinicalTrials.gov offer searchable lists of current and recent obesity-related studies.

Who Can Participate in an Obesity Clinical Trial?

Each clinical trial has specific requirements for who can join, called eligibility criteria. These help researchers make sure the study is safe and that the results will be meaningful. You and your doctor can review the criteria together to see if a trial might be a good fit for you.

To qualify for an obesity-related trial, you may need to have a certain body mass index (BMI) or be diagnosed with a specific class of obesity. BMI is a number based on height and weight that helps identify weight categories used to assess health risks.

Some studies include people who have had or are planning to have a surgical procedure, such as bariatric surgery. Others may focus on people living with obesity and other health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), or mental health conditions, including depression. Some trials may ask participants to undergo genetic testing to look for inherited factors linked to obesity.

For example, bariatric surgery may be an option for people with class 2 obesity (BMI of 35 or higher) — or for those with class 1 obesity (BMI of 30 or higher) who also have serious health problems, such as diabetes or sleep apnea.

Even if you already have a diagnosis of obesity, researchers may still need to confirm it before you can enroll. Some trials look for people whose obesity hasn’t responded well to previous treatments.

What Are the Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial?

Participating in a clinical trial can offer several potential benefits. While not all of them may apply to your situation, knowing about these benefits can help you make a more informed decision.

Some benefits of clinical trials include:

• Accessing new treatments — You may be able to try medications, surgeries, or lifestyle programs before they’re widely available.
• Contributing to science — Your participation can help researchers better understand obesity, its causes, and how it interacts with other health conditions.
• Learning more about your health — Clinical trials often involve close monitoring and testing, which can give you helpful insights into how obesity affects your body.
• Playing an active role in your care — Being part of a study may help you feel more involved in your health and wellness journey.
• Having more support and resources — Some trials offer access to experienced doctors, support groups, or health services during the study period.

If these benefits appeal to you, participating in a clinical trial could be a good choice. Talk with a healthcare professional to learn more and find out which trials you may qualify for.

What Are the Drawbacks of Joining a Clinical Trial?

Before joining a clinical trial, it’s important to understand that there can be risks or downsides. Knowing these in advance can help you feel more prepared.

Some potential drawbacks include:

• Possible health risks — Some medical tests, like repeated X-rays or CT scans, involve low doses of radiation, which may carry a small long-term risk.
• Uncertainty about effectiveness — A treatment being studied might not work, or might not be better than what’s already available.
• Placebo groups — In some trials, not everyone receives the treatment being studied. Some participants may get a placebo (a substance with no active ingredients), and you might not know which one you’re getting.
• Extra time and effort — Clinical trials may involve more medical visits, longer appointments, or additional procedures.
• Unexpected side effects — Because some treatments are still being tested, they may cause side effects that researchers don’t yet fully understand.

Most clinical trials include a detailed conversation with the research team before you agree to participate. This is your chance to ask questions and learn exactly what’s involved, so you can decide whether it feels right for you.

How To Join a Clinical Trial

If you’re interested in joining a clinical trial or another research study, start by talking with your doctor. They can help you decide if a specific study is a good fit for you and check whether you meet its requirements. In many cases, your doctor will also need to refer you to the study and share your medical records to confirm your eligibility. Some studies only accept participants by invitation, and your doctor can help submit your information for consideration if needed.

Understanding the process and working closely with your healthcare provider can help you make the best decision about participating in a clinical trial for obesity.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyObesityTeam, the social network for people with obesity and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with obesity.

Have you taken part in a clinical trial for obesity? What was it like? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.