Our research is dedicated to improving the efficacy of treatments for obesity and obesity-related eating behaviors. Our research interests and expertise lie in the behavioral, pharmacological, and metabolic treatment of obesity, with a specific focus that addresses social determinants of health. We specialize in developing and evaluating treatments for obesity, as well as identifying behavioral and biological phenotypes of obesity that can be used to tailor treatment.
Active Studies
Dietary Quality and Second-generation Anti-obesity Medications
This new pilot study will evaluate changes in dietary quality following obesity treatment with a second-generation anti-obesity medication.
LIBERATE
This phase 2 randomized controlled study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide versus placebo or lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of binge eating disorder in adults with overweight or obesity. All participants will be provided with guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy and will be randomized equally to receive tirzepatide, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, or placebo for 52 weeks.
Stepped Care for Weight Loss Maintenance (SWIFT)
This study, participants undergo a 16-week weight loss induction phase and a 52-week intervention phase where they are randomized into 1 of 3 groups to test weight loss maintenance strategies. This investigates whether a 16-week behavioral weight loss treatment and a 52-week stepped-care digital health intervention can improve the maintenance of a ≥ 5% weight loss. This study is funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research/National Institutes of Health.
Food Rx: Food Supplementation Interventions to Improve Weight Loss for Adults With Food Insecurity and Obesity
In this randomized controlled trial in adults with obesity and food insecurity, we are assessing whether behavioral weight loss treatment and providing food or resources for food can improve weight loss, diet quality, and perceived physical and mental health. This study is funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research/National Institutes of Health.
Recently Completed Studies
ProduceRx: Improving Weight and Cardiovascular Risk in Adults with Food Insecurity and Obesity
This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of providing produce vouchers during behavioral weight loss treatment in 40 adults with obesity and food insecurity. Participants were randomized to Produce Rx (12 weekly sessions of in-person, behavioral weight loss counseling + produce prescriptions) or a waitlist control.
Binge Eating and Neural Treatment Outcomes
In this study, participants were randomized to either a 16-week, one-on-one, cognitive behavioral therapy intervention or to a wait-list control. Both groups will have functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans at baseline and after 16-weeks. This study is funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research/National Institutes of Health.
Food for Thought
This randomized clinical trial examines how the brain responds to food images and memory tasks after a behavioral weight loss treatment for women with obesity. This study is funded by WW (formerly Weight Watchers).
2023-2028
2023-2028
2022- 2024
2022- 2024
2021-2022
2020-2021
2020-2020
Recent Grants
- Maryland New Nursing Faculty Fellowships, Chao (PI).
- Stepped Care for Weight Loss Maintenance (R01NR020197), Chao (PI), Aryal (Co-I), Mehta (Co-I), Wadden (Co-I), NINR/NIH. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Chao, A.
- Food Rx: Food Supplementation Interventions to Improve Weight Loss for Adults With Food Insecurity and Obesity (R56NR02046601), Chao (PI), Aryal (Co-I), Roberto (Co-I), Wadden (Co-I), NINR/NIH. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Office of Nursing Research. Chao, A.
- ProduceRx: Improving Weight and Cardiovascular Risk in Adults With Food Insecurity and Obesity, Chao (PI), The Edna G. Kynett Memorial Foundation. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Office of Nursing Research. Chao, A.
- The impact of COVID-19 on binge eating among patients with obesity, Gardizy, Ariana (PI). University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Office of Nursing Research. Chao, A (Faculty Mentor).
- Perceptions of obesity pharmacology among nurse practitioners. Bottcher, Katelyn (PI). University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Office of Nursing Research. Chao, A (Faculty Mentor).
- Psychosocial factors and technology use: Relationships with disordered eating among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bronfman, Kyra (PI). The Ernest M. Brown, Jr. College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant. Chao, A (Faculty Mentor).
Recent Publications
- Wadden TA, Kushner RF, Chao AM. Bariatric Surgery Produces Long-Term Benefits in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence Supporting Its Expanded Use and Coverage. JAMA. 2024;331(8):643-645.
- Chao AM, Wadden TA, Cao W, Zhou Y, Maldonado D, Cardel MI, Foster GD, Loughead J. Randomized Controlled Trial of Effects of Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment on Food Cue Reactivity. Nurs Res. 2024;73(2):91-100.
- Wadden TA, Chao AM, Machineni S, Kushner R, Ard J, Srivastava G, Halpern B, Zhang S, Chen J, Bunck MC, Ahmad NN, Forrester T. Tirzepatide after intensive lifestyle intervention in adults with overweight or obesity: the SURMOUNT-3 phase 3 trial. Nat Med. 2023;29(11):2909-2918.
- Wadden TA, Chao AM, Moore M, Tronieri JS, Gilden A, Amaro A, Leonard S, Jakicic JM. The Role of Lifestyle Modification with Second-Generation Anti-obesity Medications: Comparisons, Questions, and Clinical Opportunities. Curr Obes Rep. 2023;12(4):453-473.
- Krasnovsky L, Crowley AP, Naeem F, Wang LS, Wu GD, Chao AM. A Scoping Review of Nutritional Biomarkers Associated with Food Security. Nutrients. 2023;15(16), 3576.
- Paul A, Ghanta A, Chao AM. Features of Addiction in Binge-Eating Disorder: Considerations for Screening and Treatment. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2023;14:77-87.
- Bach R, Hui A, Chao AM. A Systematic Review of Interventions for Obesity Among Adults With Food Insecurity. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2023.
Chao Lab 