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Review
. 2023 Feb 21;12(4):e027693.
doi: 10.1161/JAHA.122.027693. Epub 2023 Feb 8.

Obesity and Overweight: Probing Causes, Consequences, and Novel Therapeutic Approaches Through the American Heart Association's Strategically Focused Research Network

Jeanne M Clark  1   2   3 , W Timothy Garvey  4 , Kevin D Niswender  5   6 , Ann Marie Schmidt  7 , Rexford S Ahima  8 , Jose O Aleman  9 , Ashley N Battarbee  10 , Joshua Beckman  11 , Wendy L Bennett  1   2   3   12 , Nancy J Brown  13 , Paula Chandler-Laney  4 , Nancy Cox  14 , Ira J Goldberg  9 , Kirk M Habegger  15 , Lorie M Harper  10   16 , Alyssa H Hasty  17   18 , Bertha A Hidalgo  19 , Sangwon F Kim  8   20 , Julie L Locher  21 , James M Luther  22 , Nisa M Maruthur  1   2   3 , Edgar R Miller  1   2   3 , Mary Ann Sevick  9   23 , Quinn Wells  24   25
Affiliations
Review

Obesity and Overweight: Probing Causes, Consequences, and Novel Therapeutic Approaches Through the American Heart Association's Strategically Focused Research Network

Jeanne M Clark et al. J Am Heart Assoc. .

Abstract

As the worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity continues to rise, so too does the urgency to fully understand mediating mechanisms, to discover new targets for safe and effective therapeutic intervention, and to identify biomarkers to track obesity and the success of weight loss interventions. In 2016, the American Heart Association sought applications for a Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on Obesity. In 2017, 4 centers were named, including Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. These 4 centers were convened to study mechanisms and therapeutic targets in obesity, to train a talented cadre of American Heart Association SFRN-designated fellows, and to initiate and sustain effective and enduring collaborations within the individual centers and throughout the SFRN networks. This review summarizes the central themes, major findings, successful training of highly motivated and productive fellows, and the innovative collaborations and studies forged through this SFRN on Obesity. Leveraging expertise in in vitro and cellular model assays, animal models, and humans, the work of these 4 centers has made a significant impact in the field of obesity, opening doors to important discoveries, and the identification of a future generation of obesity-focused investigators and next-step clinical trials. The creation of the SFRN on Obesity for these 4 centers is but the beginning of innovative science and, importantly, the birth of new collaborations and research partnerships to propel the field forward.

Keywords: American Heart Association; Strategically Focused Research Network; obesity; overweight.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The Strategically Focused Research Network on Obesity.
The figure illustrates the 4 centers, themes, and projects, and center director, project leaders, training director, and the American Heart Association–named fellows. ©Copyright 2021 American Heart Association, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not‐for‐profit. Unauthorized use prohibited. 11/21DS18536. CVD indicates cardiovascular disease; DIAPH1, diaphanous 1; GLP‐1, glucagon‐like peptide‐1; NYU, New York University; RAGE, receptor for advanced glycation end products; and UAB, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Key accomplishments of the Johns Hopkins University center.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Key accomplishments of the New York University center.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Key accomplishments of the University of Alabama at Birmingham center.
GDM indicates gestational diabetes mellitus.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Key accomplishments of the Vanderbilt University center.
GLP‐1 indicates glucagon‐like peptide‐1.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Panoramic view of the American Heart Association Strategically Focused Research Network on Obesity.
Collaborative networks addressed the problems of overweight and obesity. The 4 centers of the American Heart Association Strategically Focused Research Network on Obesity on Obesity probed the mechanisms and consequences of overweight and obesity through an integrated approach during fetal development into adulthood, both in animal models and in human participants. Biological and social determinants of health were considered through an integrated multiorgan/multisystem approach. Strategically Focused Research Network on Obesity ©Copyright 2022 American Heart Association, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not‐for‐profit. Unauthorized use prohibited (4/22DS18987). NYU indicates New York University; and UAB, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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