Establishment of the 2H-labeling Protocol at Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Inclusion criteria

• Pre-menopausal women
• 18-40 years of age
• BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 (+/- 0.5 will be accepted)
• Are willing to drink deuterium-labeled water (2H2O) for 6 weeks
• Must be willing to comply with all study procedures, including adipose biopsies and a DXA scan
• If applicable, hormonal contraception must have been started at least 2 months before entering the study. If enrolled, subject must also agree to not alter hormonal birth control method, dose, or regimen throughout the duration of the study
• If not using pharmaceutical (hormonal) contraception (i.e. birth control pills, vaginal ring, injections, or implant), agree to use a double barrier method as a form of birth control to prevent pregnancy
• Must be classified as either sedentary (achieve < 75 minutes of moderate-intensity or < 37 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week) or very physically active (achieve > 225 minutes of moderate-intensity or > 112 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week). Simple questions to assess physical activity level will be administered during the phone screening as well as the clinic screening visit.
• If enrolled, agree to not alter dose, level, or regimen of physical activity throughout the duration of the study

Exclusion criteria

• Unstable weight in the last 3 months (gain or loss >7 lb (3.2 kg)
• Significant changes in the diet or level of physical activity within the past month
• History of clinically diagnosed diabetes or a fasting blood glucose > 110 mg/dL
• An average screening blood pressure >140/90
• Have major organ disease (i.e. heart, kidney, lung, thyroid, or liver) or abnormal liver enzymes that are, in the opinion of the medical investigator, clinically significant and represent a problem for study inclusion.
• Self-reported positive test for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• Chronic use of systemic glucocorticoids, systemic adrenergic-stimulating agents, anti-psychotic/anti-depressant medications, thiazolidinediones and other medications that may cause clinically significant weight gain or loss
• Chronic use of prescription or over-the-counter weight loss medications which, in the opinion of the MI, will impact the study.
• Smoking or use of tobacco products in the last 3 months
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planned pregnancy for the upcoming 2 months
• Previous bariatric or other surgeries for obesity
• Diagnosed psychotic conditions