What is this study about?

We are investigating the metabolism of individuals with extreme body morphology (body size), including those with skeletal dysplasia, to manage health risks and inform healthy living guidelines. This study will involve a number of metabolic tests, a session of exercise, then free-living monitoring. For the main trial you will be based at the University of Bath for ~24 hours with a team of our researchers and will stay overnight in that time.

Who is eligible?

We are seeking adults (aged 16+ years) with extreme body size (very large or very small), or anyone with a diagnosed form of skeletal dysplasia.

What tests will I undergo in the laboratory?

There are 4 main areas of assessment:

1. Body composition (full body scan, leg scan and muscle and fat biopsies)
2. Sleep assessment (polysomnography)
3. Metabolic tests (one with stable tracer- safe to consume)
4. Exercise protocol

In addition, there will be some questionnaires based around appetite, eating behaviour, and mental health (optional).

What happens after I leave the laboratory?

Whilst keeping in touch with the researchers, you will be asked to complete 14 days of free-living monitoring, including recording everything you eat and drink, your sleep timings, daily body mass, and wearing activity monitors. During this time you will be wearing a continuous glucose monitor placed on your arm in the laboratory, and requested to continue with your normal daily habits just as if you weren’t taking part in a study.

What are the benefits of taking part?

We will be able to provide you with detailed feedback about your health, in particular a breakdown of your diet and energy expenditure. We will also be able to give you feedback on body measures such as body fat percentage and circulating markers such as blood sugar level after eating.

If you wish to find out more, please contact Lucy Merrell: lhm31@bath.ac.uk