Ongoing Research
Currently Recruiting
Men and Women Needed for Grocery Shopping Study
The University of Pennsylvania is seeking men and women, ages 40 to 70 years, to participate in a research study examining grocery shopping behavior. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires, food diaries, and participate in body measurements twice over a 3-month period. Participants receive at least $100 in compensation for their time and travel.
If interested, call 215-746-2061 for more information. Please speak clearly and slowly when leaving a message.
Research Volunteers Needed for Depression and Weight Loss Study
We are seeking men and women who would like to get help for depression and lose weight. You may be eligible if you are:
- Between the ages of 18 and 70 years old
- Overweight (BMI of 27-45kg/m2)
- Not taking weight loss medications
- Not enrolled in a weight loss program
- Not receiving individual psychotherapy
This 11-month research study involves 20 weeks of combined therapy for depression and weight loss at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders (3535 Market St.). Participants will be compensated for their time and travel.
For more information, call Colleen at 215-573-5502.
Children Needed for Breakfast Research Study
Dr. Tanja Kral
The University of Pennsylvania is seeking children (ages 8-10) and a parent to participate in an eating research study.
The study involves one screening visit and 3 study visits to our Center at 3535 Market Street. Study visit will last approximately 4.5 hours (8:00AM – 12:30PM) each and will be scheduled one day a week for 3 weeks.
During each study visit, children will be asked to eat breakfast and lunch and participate in game-like tasks requiring attention and memory at our Center. Families can receive up to $225 for the completion of the study.
If interested, call 215-746-2061 for more information. Please speak clearly and slowly when leaving a message.
Glycemic control and weight loss research study
We are seeking men and women who have type 2 diabetes and want to lose weight. You may qualify to participate if you are/have:
- Overweight and obese
- Between the ages of 18-70 (inclusive)
- A fasting blood glucose level < 240
- Willing to commit to scheduled appointments
This 12 month study involves 6 study visits to the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at the University of Pennsylvania. The study will determine whether a modified weight loss program for individuals who have type 2 diabetes results in more improvements in blood glucose control related to a control group receiving standard diabetes counseling. Participants will be compensated for their time.
For more information and to see if you are eligible to participate, please contact:
Patricia Hong
Center for Weight and Eating Disorders
University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
(215)-746-7193
patrh@mail.med.upenn.edu
Neuroimaging Research Study
We are seeking women who are interested in how the brain responds to food. You may qualify to participate if you are:
- Female over the age of 18
- At least 50 pounds overweight
- Non-diabetic
- Non-smoking
This research study involves three visits over an 18 month period to the Clinical and Translational Research Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for MRI brain scans and blood draws. Participants will be compensated for their time.
For more information and to see if you are eligible to participate, please contact:
Amber Baxley
Center for Weight and Eating Disorders
University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
(215) 746-7342
abaxley@mail.med.upenn.edu
Ongoing Research (Closed to recruitment/recruiting from direct referrals):
Lifestyle Modification versus Bariatric Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes
We are seeking men and women who are considering bariatric surgery for weight loss. To be eligible to participate in this research study, candidates must be at least 18 to 65 years of age, with a BMI of between 30 to 40 kg/m2 and have type 2 diabetes. Participants will be randomly assigned to: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery; Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery; or an intensive nonsurgical weight loss program, which includes lifestyle modification, meal replacements, and potentially an FDA-approved weight loss medication which are all standard of care for obesity treatment. This study will compare the benefits of different bariatric surgeries to each other and to a non-surgical weight loss program in terms of both weight loss as well as improvements in type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Participation in the study involves visits to the Center for Translational Research at Hospital of University of Pennsylvania prior to having surgery or starting the intensive weight loss program, after a 10% weight loss, and at 6 and 12 months after the start of treatment. Participants will be compensated for their time.
Please contact Jacque Spitzer, Clinical Research Coordinator, at (215) 746-1281 or email jspitzer@mail.med.upenn.edu to obtain more information about the study and find out if you are eligible to participate.
Obesity and Weight Loss among Endometrial Cancer Survivors
Dr. Kelly Allison and Dr. Christina Chu (Ob/Gyn)
This is a study funded by the Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) center grant at Penn Medicine. We are examining the efficacy of two technology based weight loss interventions among endometrial cancer survivors and the impact of weight loss on biomedical markers of cancer. Participants are recruited from the Jordan Center for Gynecologic Cancer at the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine. For more information about this study, please contact Dr. Ashley Ford, Ashley.Ford@uphs.upenn.edu.
CHEF: Cooking Healthy to Eat Fewer Fatty Foods
PI: Chanelle T. Bishop-Gilyard, PsyD
The goal of the CHEF study is to determine the best way to help 12-16 year old girls lose weight and improve their eating and activity habits. The study will compare two approaches for helping teens learn ways to eat a healthier diet to lose weight. All teens will follow a reduced calorie, nutritionally-balanced diet. Both programs will be provided to groups of 8 to 10 teens. Parent participation is required. Thus, we expect 20 teens (and one of their parents) to participate in this treatment research study over the course of 12 weeks. You may be eligible if you are:
- Overweight
- Between 12 and 16 years of age
- A female non-smoker
- Free of significant health problems
- Live no more than 40 minutes from The University of Pennsylvania
In addition to receiving weight loss treatment at no cost, participants will be compensated for their time. For more information, call Chanelle at 215 746-7180 or email: chaneltb@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Psychosocial Changes After Weight Loss
Dr. David Sarwer
We are currently seeking men and women between the ages of 18-65 who have been in a romantic, committed relationship for at least one year to participate in a study on psychosocial changes that occur after weight loss. Eligible people will participate in an evening weight loss program that will meet weekly for 16 weeks. Before beginning the program, and once per year for fours year after beginning the program, you will receive assessments including questionnaires and a blood test. You will receive compensation at each assessment point, and the weight loss treatment is free. Additional compensation may also be available. If you are interested in learning more about this study, please call Jacque at 215-746-1281 or e-mail: jspitzer@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Behavioral Factors in the Surgical Treatment of Obesity
Dr. Thomas A. Wadden
This study is examining the effect of binge eating disorder on the outcome of weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery). Participants must have already elected to undergo surgery in order to participate. Diet and exercise counseling is available for persons with binge eating disorder who do not see bariatric surgery.
Adolescent Obesity Study
Dr. Bob Berkowitz
The University of Pennsylvania's Center for Weight and Eating Disorders has been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study adolescent obesity. The program is enrolling teenagers ages 13-17 and their parents to join a free weight loss treatment study involving behavior modification and a weight loss medication.
Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes)
Dr. Thomas A. Wadden
This 16-site, NIH-funded study will examine the benefits of a lifestyle intervention on overweight men and women with Type 2 Diabetes over 11 years (until 2012). The study is closed to new enrollment.
Postoperative Dietary Counseling After Bariatric Surgery
Dr. David Sarwer
We are conducting a study funded by the National Institutes of Health investigating the effects of postoperative dietary counseling after gastric bypass surgery. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions. Half of the participants will receive standard postoperative care. This will included coming back to the surgeon's office for scheduled visits as well as the availability of the Program's support groups and website. Half will meet every other week, for 16 weeks after surgery, with the program dietician for 30 minutes. These sessions will be designed to help assist patients in adjusting to the postoperative diet. All participants will be followed for a total of 18 months. This study is no longer recruiting.
