Frequently Asked Questions about obesity and weight loss at Yale
- What is Yale Obesity Research Center (Y-Weight) and what is the Yale Center for Weight Management?
The Yale Obesity Research Center (Y-Weight) is where we conduct research studies and clinical trials looking at different anti-obesity medications in development for the treatment of obesity. Additionally, some of the medications studied are already FDA-approved and we are conducting research to see how they work to treat obesity and for whom they work best. If you are interested in participating in one a study or clinical trials please see links to trials on the Y-Weight website, YaleMedicine website, or search for trials on the YCCI website.
The Yale Center for Weight Management is where we see patients who are seeking treatment for obesity. These clinical services include bariatric (weight loss) surgery, medications, and nutrition and physical activity counseling. If you are interested in receiving clinical care, and seeing a health care provider for weight management, please call 1-877-YALEMDS or ask your health care provider for a referral to the Yale Center for Weight Management.
- What is the difference between all of the anti-obesity medications?
There are many types of effective weight-loss medications available with a prescription, both pills and injections.
The most effective obesity medications target brain pathways that help regulate how much fuel (in this case fat) our bodies want to carry. The FDA medications currently approved for the treatment of obesity include: liraglutide (Saxenda), Naltrexone SR/Bupropion SR (Contrave), phentermine, phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia), semaglutide (Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Zepbound). Orlistat (Ali or Xenical) is also approved for obesity treatment but does not target mechanisms in the brain.
More recent medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, are hormone-based medications which target the brain weight-regulating pathways. These hormones are special in that they are stimulated when we eat food, so we call them nutrient-stimulated hormones. The medication that target these pathways include semaglutide, which targets glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors and tirzepatide, which targets two hormone receptors, GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
Newer medications in development (in clinical trials but not yet commercially available) include: Retatrutide, which targets three hormone receptors: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon; survodutide, which targets GLP-1 and glucagon receptors; and CagriSema which is a combination of two peptides, cagrilintide (an amylin analogue) and semaglutide.
- Are there clinical trials I can participate in?
Yes! If you are interested in participating in one a study or clinical trials please see links to trials on the Y-Weight website, YaleMedicine website, or search for trials on the YCCI website.
- Is there additional reading you recommend?
Here are some additional materials:
- The Biology of Obesity: Why Keeping Weight Off Is So Hard (Yale Medicine)
- For educational and advocacy resources and more about how you can get involved view the Obesity Action Coalition Website
- Obesity is an important topic for me. How can I be involved?
- Interested in joining the Yale Obesity Research Center (Y-Weight)? Contact Y-Weight.
- Interested in who else is working on obesity at Yale? Here is a list of faculty who have selected obesity as a research term.
- Interested in participating in a clinical trial? View the list of Yale clinical trials related to obesity.
- Interested in being a patient? Contact the Yale Center for Weight Management.