DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY
Center for Weight and Eating Disorders
CURRENTLY RECRUITING:
Children’s Dinner Study
Dr. Tanja Kral
We are currently seeking children (ages 5 and 6) to participate in an eating research study. Children will be asked to participate in game activities and eat dinner in our Center one day a week for 2 weeks.
For more information, please call (215) 746-2061 (Option 2).
Weight Loss and Fertility Study
Dr. David Sarwer
We are currently seeking women between the ages of 18 and 45 who are overweight, experience irregular menstrual cycles (greater than 45 days between cycles and/or less than 9 cycles per year), are not on hormonal birth control, and are not planning on becoming pregnant in the next year to volunteer to participate in a behavioral weight loss study at the University of Pennsylvania. Previous research has shown that some women experience improvements in their markers of fertility after weight loss. This study will compare the fertility changes in women who lose weight through our behavioral weight loss treatment to women who lose weight through bariatric surgery. All behavioral weight loss participants will be assessed three times over the course of a year and will attend weight loss sessions over the course of 40 weeks at no cost. Participants will be in this study for one year.
If you are interested in learning more about this study, please call Miriam at 215-746-1281 or e-mail: emiriam@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Lifestyle Modification for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention in Overweight Youth
Dr. Myles Faith
The objective of this research study is to measure the effectiveness of a family-based intervention designed to reduce excess body weight, improve cardiovascular and metabolic profiles, and improve diet and physical activity in 4-8 year old children who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes.
We are currently recruiting 4-8 year old children who are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight (BMI >85th percentile) and who have a close family member (parent, sibling, aunt/uncle, grandparent) who has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Parents and children will attend 16 sessions over a 6 month period. Both groups will receive nutritional counseling, with an emphasis on developing a physically active lifestyle and improving dietary habits. One group will include behavioral modification strategies as well. Each participant’s progress is tracked for six months following completion of the group sessions.
If you are interested in finding out more about this American Diabetes Association-sponsored study, contact the research coordinator, Karen Hoffer at 215-746-6270.
Beverage Choice and Lifestyle Modification in Overweight Youth
Dr. Myles Faith
The popularity and abundance of sugar sweetened beverages in children’s diets has led to concern that the high energy content of these beverages may be contributing to excess weight gain in some overweight youth. The objective of this NIH-sponsored research study is to measure the impact of a behavioral approach in modifying sweetened beverage intake and reducing excess weight gain in children.
Children 4-7 years of age who are overweight and/or at risk for becoming overweight (BMI >85th percentile), consume ≥16 ounces of fruit juice or sugar sweetened beverages daily, and who have a parent or caregiver who is overweight and interested in attending group sessions with them are invited to participate. Two groups of families will attend 16 sessions over a six month period. Nutrition counseling and family-based activities aimed at preventing excess weight gain and achieving healthier eating habits will be provided to both groups. Behavioral strategies will be incorporated into one treatment group’s intervention plan as well. Measurements will be taken pre and post intervention to track progress.
If you are interested in more information about this research study, contact Karen Hoffer at 215-746-6270.
Weight Loss in Type II Diabetes Study
Dr. Anthony Fabricatore
We are currently seeking obese or overweight men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 with a diagnosis of type II diabetes to participate in a weight loss study. Our research examines the outcomes of two dietary approaches to weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes. Both programs include group-based behavioral counseling and exercise recommendations. However, one program educates participants about a low-fat diet, and the other teaches how to follow a low glycemic load (GL) diet. This study, which is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, compares changes in weight and blood sugars over 40 weeks of treatment and an additional year of follow-up.
If you are interested in learning more about this study, please call or email Liz at 215-746-2427 (egrava@mail.med.upenn.edu).
Investigational Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
We are seeking men and women with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese that may be interested in a research study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. The study will evaluate an investigational form of treatment for type 2 diabetes using an implantable ‘pacemaker-like’ device with surgically implanted leads and electrodes that electrically stimulate the stomach.
If you are between 18 and 70 years of age and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past ten (10) years, are overweight, take oral anti-diabetic agents (with stable doses for at least 3 months) and are otherwise medically stable, you may be a candidate.
All study-related care is provided to those who participate.
If you or a friend are interested in participating and would like more information, please call the University of Pennsylvania at 215-746-7193.
The Prevention Study
Dr. Myles S. Faith
The main objective of this NIH-funded study is to test the effects of three family-based interventions on increased fruit and vegetable intake and the prevention of excess weight gain in 4-7 year-old children who are at risk for overweight. Recruitment for this study is ongoing. For more information, e-mail Karen Hoffer or call (215)573-7101.
Weight Loss Treatment Study for Adolescents
We are pleased to announce a weight loss treatment study for adolescents. This study is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health. The study will provide all adolescents and their parents with 30 group behavioral treatment sessions focused on the development of healthy eating and exercise habits during a one-year period. All teens will follow a moderately low calorie diet of 1300-1500 calories and half of the teens will replace two meals and one snack a day with a Slim-Fast® shake while the other half will eat a diet of conventional foods. The study is designed to determine whether a meal replacement product such as Slim-Fast® can help adolescents achieve and maintain greater weight loss than a diet of conventional foods.
We are interested in enrolling overweight teenagers, between the ages of 13 to17, with a body mass index (BMI) between 28 and 50. We are planning to enroll 110 teens and their families in the program during the course of the next two years. For more information and to find out if your teen qualifies for the study, please call Joanna or Kate at 215-590-2296.
Weight Loss Treatment with Investigational Medication
If you are interested in participating in a research study using investigational medication or placebo for the treatment of obesity, you may be eligible if you are: 18-65 years of age, overweight, and free from any significant health problems. To find out more information, please call 215-898-7314.
ONGOING RESEARCH (Closed to recruitment/recruiting from direct referrals):
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.
A Study of Two Weight Loss Approaches
Dr. Thomas Wadden
This study tests the outcomes of two dietary approaches to weight loss for overweight adults. The duration of treatment is 12-months.
PoEMS - Patterns of Eating Mood and Sleep among Overweight Pregnant Women
Dr. Kelly Allison
This study surveys women during their 2nd trimester of pregnancy to understand how different patterns of eating, depressed mood, and sleep influence weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention. Participants complete follow-up surveys and 6-weeks and 4-months postpartum. Women who are patients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania are recruited to participate.
The Night Eating Syndrome
Dr. Albert Stunkard and Dr. Kelly Allison
We have no active studies of night eating syndrome currently. To find out more about NES, go to our webpage for more information or to complete the Night Eating Questionnaire. Please contact Kelly Allison for treatment options for NES here at Penn.
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.
Infant Growth Study
Dr. Myles Faith
This NIH-funded study was initiated 12 years ago to examine growth and development in children. The children in this study have been followed in their development of height and weight, accretion of bone and muscle mass, and emergence of eating patterns. In addition, various metabolic parameters which may be predictive of children's growth are being examined as well.
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.