Research

Daily Eating Patterns for Total Health – Open to Enrollment

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Daily Eating Patterns for Total Health is a comprehensive, 12-month obesity care research study aimed at understanding the impact of time-based energy intake goals on long-term weight loss. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups, each following different time-based eating goals. All participants will be given dietary goals for a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet; physical activity goals to engage in at least 200 minutes of activity each week; and receive a cognitive behavioral intervention. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 25 and 60 years, have overweight or obesity, have access to a computer or smartphone, and not work night shifts.

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Foods within a Meal and Food Liking Study – Closed to Enrollment

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The Foods within a Meal and Food Liking Study evaluates how different types of food within a meal influence the liking of foods. Participants are served chicken noodle soup, sugar-free chocolate pudding, grapes, strawberry yogurt, macaroni and cheese, vanilla ice cream, pretzels, and graham crackers. Both men and women between the ages of 18-35 and free of dietary restrictions are eligible for this study. A $25 gift card will be given to participants for their involvement.

 

Families Becoming Healthy Together – Closed to Enrollment

 

Families Becoming Healthy Together is evaluating if a family-based childhood overweight and obesity treatment program, that has goals for healthy eating and physically activity for both the child and adult caregiver, can improve child weight at 18 months. Eligible families must have an adult who is at least 18 years old and 20-75 pounds away from ideal weight, and a child with overweight or obesity between the ages of 8-12 years.

 

Prevention Plus Study – Closed to Enrollment

 

Addressing health disparities is important in improving the nation’s health, and translating evidence-based guidelines into community settings that provide integrated primary care to the underserved may assist in achieving this goal. HEAL is partnering with Cherokee Health Systems, a federal qualified health center in East Tennessee, to implement and evaluate the Prevention Plus program to address childhood obesity. Additionally, household food insecurity status will be examined as a possible moderator of treatment outcome. Families with a child between the ages of 4 and 10 years, who are > 85th percentile body mass index, and receiving their primary care at Cherokee Health Systems are eligible to participate.

 

Influence of Changes in Food Group Variety on Food Cravings, Energy Intake, and Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery – Closed to Enrollment

 

This study is examining changes in food group variety and food cravings on weight loss in individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery. Measures of dietary intake, food cravings, and weight loss will be taken before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results of this study may have significant clinical implications for postoperative dietary recommendations for those who have had bariatric surgery. Collaborators on this project are the Tennessee Weight Loss and Surgery Center at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

 

Weight Watchers Online Study – Closed to Enrollment

 

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of the Weight Watchers’ Online program on weight loss. This is a 12-month study that will compare three different online programs. Men and women may be eligible if they are between the ages of 18 and 70 and could lose 20 to 70 pounds. Participants are asked to attend five appointments at the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory.

All aspects of the study are provided at no cost.