Impact of Liraglutide 3.0 on Body Fat Distribution

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 35 years
• Able to provide informed consent
• BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 27 kg/m2 with metabolic syndrome
• Metabolic syndrome is defined as at least three of the following:3
• waist circumference > 102 cm (40 in) in men and 88 cm (35 in) in women
• triglycerides > 150 mg/dL or on treatment for hypertriglyceridemia
• HDL cholesterol 130/85 mmHg or on treatment for hypertension
• fasting glucose > 100 mg/dL

Exclusion Criteria

• Treatment with Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (including liraglutide, exenatide or others as they become available), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or insulin within the last 3 months.
• Receipt of any anti-obesity drug or supplement within 1 month prior to screening for this trial.
• Self-reported or clinically documented history of significant fluctuations (>5% change) in weight within 3 months prior to screening for this trial.
• History of diabetes mellitus (type 1 or 2) or on treatment with anti-diabetes medication.
• History of chronic pancreatitis or idiopathic acute pancreatitis (current or prior history).
• History of gallbladder disease (cholelithiasis or cholecystitis).
• Chronic kidney disease stage III or greater (eGFR<60 mL/min).
• Obesity induced by other endocrinologic disorders (e.g. Cushing Syndrome).
• Current or history of treatment with medications that may cause significant weight gain, within 1 month prior to screening for this trial, including systemic corticosteroids (except for a short course of treatment, i.e., 7- 10 days), tri-cyclic antidepressants, atypical antipsychotic and mood stabilizers (e.g., imipramine, amitryptiline, mirtazapine, paroxetine, phenelzine, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, clozapine, olanzapine, valproic acid and its derivatives, and lithium).
• Diet attempts using herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications within 1 month prior to screening for this trial.
• Current participation in an organized weight reduction program or within the last 1 month prior to screening for this trial.
• Participation in a clinical trial within the last 3 months prior to screening for this trial.
• Familial or personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 or familial medullary thyroid carcinoma.
• Personal history of non-familial medullary thyroid carcinoma.
• History of Major Depressive Disorder within the last 2 years.
• History of other severe psychiatric disorders, e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.
• Any lifetime history of a suicide attempt.
• A history of any suicidal behavior in the last month prior to randomization.
• Surgery scheduled for the trial duration period, except for minor surgical procedures, at the discretion of the Investigator.
• Known or suspected hypersensitivity to trial product(s) or related product(s).
• Known or suspected abuse of alcohol or narcotics.
• Language barrier, mental incapacity, unwillingness or inability to understand.
• Females of childbearing potential who are pregnant, breast-feeding or intend to become pregnant or are not using adequate contraceptive methods. These include abstinence and the following methods: diaphragm with spermicide, condom with spermicide (by male partner), intrauterine device, sponge, spermicide, Norplant®, Depo-Provera® or oral contraceptives.