Wanted: Families for U of M Obesity Study

Study encourages families to 'Take Action' toward obesity prevention

(May 31, 2006) -- The University of Minnesota School of Public Health is recruiting local families with children to participate in a study examining how changes in household environments can prevent weight gain and obesity.

The aim of the "Take Action" study is to evaluate the impact of community-based weight gain intervention on family and individual behaviors. Researchers hope to see if changes in the home environment lead to the implementation of healthy habits that prevent the onset of obesity. Intervention will be targeted toward:

• Limiting television viewing with the use of a time-tracking device
• Reducing the availability of sugar-sweetened beverages and high-fat, pre-packaged foods
• Increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables in the household
• Reducing family visits to fast food restaurants
• Developing healthy eating and exercise habits that fit each household

"We are looking for families who are interested in examining their daily routines and implementing change that will benefit both the parents and children," said Simone French, Ph.D., professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. "Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to incorporate exercise, healthy eating habits, and other beneficial activities into their lives with personalized feedback and intervention."

The intervention program consists of a preliminary home food inventory, food and beverage receipt collection, six group meetings, encouragement phone calls, helpful and supportive newsletters, and access to intervention staff via telephone and email. Follow-up measures include height and weight measurements and household food and activity assessments.

The study is funded by a research grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the initiative known as Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC).

TREC aims to integrate the study of diet, weight, and physical activity and their effects on cancer by funding research centers that focus on the balance between food intake and physical activity. The University of Minnesota is one of four centers in the nation that have received funding under TREC.

For more information on the "Take Action" study or to learn how to register, contact Scott Shimotsu at 612-624-0567 or at shimotsu@epi.umn.edu..