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Yale Obesity Research Center (Y-Weight)
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About Y-Weight

Y-Weight aims to improve the lives and health of people living with obesity through cutting-edge clinical-translational and outcomes research that facilitates the development and appropriate application of novel therapies, targeting disease mechanisms of obesity and improving health outcomes.

The center’s primary focus is clinical research, specifically:

  • Human physiology studies - to better understand the biology of obesity
  • Clinical trials - to assess the efficacy and safety of novel anti-obesity medications in development
  • Health outcomes research - to investigate how these medications work in the real-world and impact population health

An initial focus of the center is on novel pharmacological therapeutics for obesity. Currently, at the forefront are medications called nutrient-stimulated hormone-based therapies (NuSHs) which target the neurometabolic mechanisms of obesity. NuSHs include medications such as semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist) and tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist). These medications target receptors in our body and brain to inform how much fuel (or fat) our body is carrying.

By broadening our understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity and working to develop novel, highly effective interventions, Y-Weight (the Yale Obesity Research Center) works to improve the lives and health of individuals with obesity.

Y-Weight Mission and Objectives

  • Y-Weight Mission

    The mission of Y-Weight is to improve the lives and health of individuals living with obesity through cutting-edge human, clinical-translational, and outcomes research that facilitates the development and appropriate application of novel therapies, targeting disease mechanisms of obesity and improving health outcomes.

  • Four Overarching Themes

    Y-Weight aims to shape the field of obesity medicine through human clinical-translational and outcomes research. Four overarching themes of the center include:
    • Collaboration: Build community with the sharing of ideas from bench to bedside and beyond
    • Mentorship: Foster the development of physician-scientists and investigators in obesity medicine
    • Education: Educate the next generation of academic obesity medicine leaders and providers
    • Integration: Integrate clinical obesity research with clinical obesity medicine

Y-Weight Leadership

  • Ania Jastreboff, MD, PhD

    Associate Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology); Director, Yale Obesity Research Center (Y-Weight); Co-Director, Yale Center for Weight Management

    Research Interests
    • Obesity
    • Weight Loss
    Ania M. Jastreboff, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor in Medicine and Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine. She serves as the director of the Yale Obesity Research Center (Y-Weight) and the co-director of the Yale Center for Weight Management. She is trained in both adult endocrinology and pediatric endocrinology, is an obesity medicine physician-scientist, and an international leader in research and clinical application of anti-obesity pharmacotherapeutics. Her work has included working to develop Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines (AACE/ACE 2016), serving on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Obesity Medicine, educating the next generation of Obesity Medicine physicians by teaching at national and international obesity treatment courses, and conducting cutting-edge clinical-translational obesity research. Her research includes large, multi-center clinical outcomes trials using novel anti-obesity pharmacotherapeutics and studies examining the neurobiology underlying obesity and mechanisms of anti-obesity medications (supported by the NIH/NIDDK). Recently, she has served as lead author for trials investigating potential novel nutrient-stimulated hormone-based therapies for obesity including dual hormone receptor agonist tirzepatide (NEJM) a novel GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist (Jastreboff, et al., NEJM, 2022) and triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide (NEJM) a novel GIP/GLP-1/Glucagon receptor agonist (Jastreboff, et al., NEJM, 2023). Videos of Dr. Jastreboff and colleagues from the NEJM about: - What causes obesity: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/... - Supporting patients with obesity: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/... - Medications and surgery for obesity treatment: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/...Podcast (Yale Talk) with the president of Yale University, Dr. Peter Salovey, speaking with Dr. Jastreboff. Video with Dr. Jastreboff about anti-obesity medications and the biology of obesity. Clinically, Dr. Jastreboff specializes in sophisticated use of anti-obesity medication combinations to help patients reach their weight and health goals.
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