TEFALEffects of Weight Loss on Dietary Thermogenesis in Obese Adolescents

This study focuses on understanding the role of dietary thermogenesis, which is the energy we use to digest food, in obese adolescents. It's important to note that while resting metabolism and energy expenditure from physical activity are major contributors to total energy expenditure, dietary thermogenesis can also account for about 10% of our daily energy use. Some studies suggest that the thermic effect of food (TEF), or the increase in energy expenditure after eating, may be lower in individuals with obesity. This could potentially play a role in the development or maintenance of obesity. However, there's a lack of consensus on this topic, especially when it comes to children and adolescents. This study aims to fill this gap and explore whether TEF is indeed reduced in obese adolescents, which could help optimize their daily energy balance. The study will evaluate the effects of weight loss on dietary thermogenesis in obese adolescents. Participants will undergo a weight loss intervention, and their postprandial energy expenditure (PEE), or the energy used to digest food after a meal, will be measured. This will be compared with the PEE of adolescents with normal weight. The study also aims to understand how weight status, body composition, and the caloric composition of a meal might influence TEF in this population. The primary outcome of the study is to measure changes in PEE after weight loss.