This disclosure features the methods and compositions involving development of novel polymer-based therapeutics that induce browning of white adipocytes for the treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases. The therapeutic effects are largely attributed to the promotion of brown and/or beige adipocyte development and function by leveraging adipocyte plasticity and polymer-based drug delivery systems. Both brown and beige adipocytes are densely packed with mitochondria which highly express uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), a thermogenic protein mediating non-shivering thermogenesis.
