HEAL Research
Weight Loss Treatment Studies
Healthy Habits Study – Enrolling eligible adults now
For most of us, when we have a variety of choices to eat, we have a tendency to eat more than we want. Research has found that both humans and animals eat more when there are lots of different food choices (greater variety), and eat less when there are fewer food choices (less variety). A diet that contains a lot of variety of snack foods, like cookies, chips, pastries, and ice cream, is linked to eating more of these foods, and is usually high in calories and fat, which may make it hard to lose weight. Healthy Habits is the first study to investigate how limiting variety in snack foods may help with weight loss. Healthy Habits provides 18 months of treatment to overweight adults between the ages of 21 to 65 at no cost.
The LEisure-time And Nutrition (LEAN) Program – Closed to enrollment
How we spend our leisure time, either by being active or watching TV, can impact on our health and weight. Most people recognize the importance of physical activity in weight control, but the amount of time spent watching TV may also be important in achieving a healthy weight. TV watching may hinder weight loss and weight loss maintenance as watching too much TV may prevent people from spending time being active, and TV watching may prompt eating, as a common habit in many people is to eat while watching TV. The LEAN Program is the first study to investigate how different leisure-time activity prescriptions, either increasing physical activity or decreasing TV watching, may help with weight loss in adults. The LEAN Program provides 8 weeks of treatment to overweight adults between the ages of 21 to 65 at no cost.
Childhood Healthy Lifestyle Studies – Closed to enrollment
As the number of adolescents and adults who are overweight in the US has increased, developing healthy eating and activity habits in young children is more important than ever before. Child HELP (Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Program) and Kids CAN (Changing Activity and Nutrition) are the first studies that are examining how to help 4- to 9-year-old children who are at risk for overweight establish lifelong, health-promoting behaviors that will help prevent the development of obesity later in life. Child HELP and Kids CAN are programs that provide 6 months of treatment to families.
Other Research Studies
Taste Test Study - Enrolling eligible participants now
The Taste Test Study evaluates the preferences of females for foods commonly eaten for lunch. This study has two parts, an appointment in our lab and a dietary interview conducted over the phone. During the lab appointment, participants will be asked to eat a meal, complete questionnaires and have height and weight measures taken. The meal will include a sandwich wrap, lowfat turkey or vegetable/cheese, potato or tortilla chips, fresh fruit, and ice cream. On the day following the meal, participants will be called and asked about the foods eaten on the previous day. Upon completion of the study requirements participants will receive a $20 gift card mailed to the address provided. Initial eligible requirements include: female, 18-25 years of age, normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9) and willing to taste all of the foods in the meal. Individuals majoring in nutrition or exercise, those who smoke, and those who are pregnant are not eligible for this study. If you are interested in participating in this study and you meet the basic eligibility requirements, please call Ashlee at 974-0754.
Does Portion Size Influence Intake of Low-Energy-Dense Foods in Preschool-aged Children?
Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables has indications for the prevention of many chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer and obesity. Recommendations for the consumption of fruits and vegetables are consistently not met by adults and children in the United States which may support the increase in obesity. Environmental strategies may encourage increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Using food portion size as an antecedent, this study will investigate the impact of portion size on two foods, applesauce (low-energy dense food) and chocolate pudding (high-energy dense food) in preschool-aged children.
Contact
Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory (HEAL)
Department of Nutrition
University of Tennessee
Jessie Harris Building Room 102
1215 W. Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-1920
Phone: (865) 974-0752
Fax: (865) 974-3491
Email: heal@utk.edu