Participate in a Research Study!

The Childhood Obesity Foundation is now posting information for studies that you can participate in!  You can make a difference by taking part to one of the enclosed projects and help Canadian researchers to find better solutions faster.

Please click on the links below to read a summary of the project and to discover whether you may be eligible. Feel free to contact directly the Research Coordinator listed for each project.

Current Research Studies

1. Investigating Readiness and motivation for change in overweight youth and their families

2. MySteps: A Teen Weight Loss Program

3. MYLIFE STUDY: McGill Youth Lifestyle Intervention with Food and Exercise

See below for more information on each of these studies.

Study Title: Investigating Readiness and motivation for change in overweight youth and their families

What:

A research team from St. Paul’s Hospital, BC Children Hospital, the University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University are currently conducting a study that examines the usefulness of a new interview measure of readiness and motivation to make changes to weight and/or exercise. Participation in the study involves completing a questionnaire package and participating in a clinical interview. The assessment will address health and feelings about healthy eating and exercise, including barriers to and reasons for change. Parents will be speaking about their child’s experiences, and youth will be speaking about their own experiences.

Study participants will be entered into a lottery to win a $100 gift certificate to Future Shop.

Who:

Families of overweight youth ages 10-17 are invited to participate in this study.

Where:

Families will have the opportunity to participate at a location that is convenient for them, including offices at BC Children’s Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, Simon Fraser University, or at their home.

When: 

Interested families are invited to contact the study research assistants (see below) and interviews will be scheduled at participants’ convenience. Taking part in the research will involve between 90 and 120 minutes.

For more information please contact:

Sarah Frood 778-782-6598 (sfrood@sfu.ca) or

Joanna Zelichowska (jzelichowska@providencehealth.bc.ca) 604-682-2344 ext 62418

Study Title: MySteps: A Teen Weight Loss Program

What:

MySteps is a study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Dr. Louise Mâsse, doctors from BC Children’s Hospital, and researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of San Diego are carrying out this study.

The goal of the MySteps project is to understand factors that motivate teens and parents to change lifelong behaviours associated with weight gain. 

MySteps is an 8-month internet weight loss study targeted at teens and their family.  The program is designed to help teens and their parents achieve and/or maintain a healthy weight. 

Through the program, teens and their parents will learn healthy habits by:

• ·         focusing on increasing fruit and vegetable intake,

• ·         decreasing fat intake,

• ·         increasing total physical activity,

• ·         decreasing TV watching time. 

Throughout the duration of the program, both teens and their parents will have access to a health coach who will be able to assist with any questions or issues related to the project.  An honorarium will be provided to participants.

Who:

This study is geared towards teens between 11 and 16 years of age and their parents.  Participants must live in the Greater Vancouver area.

Where:

The study is mainly online.  There are 4 visits with the MySteps team at BC Children’s Hospital throughout the 8 months.

When:

MySteps is currently open for enrolment. 

For more information please contact:

The MySteps team - 604-875-2000 ext: 6393 or email mysteps@cfri.ubc.ca

You may also visit us online at www.childrenlivinghealthy.ca/MySteps.

Study Title: MYLIFE STUDY: McGill Youth Lifestyle Intervention with Food and Exercise

What:  We have designed a 1-year intervention study focused on lifestyle improvements to reduce obesity in children 6 to 8.5 years of age.  A control group will be monitored for the year, while two other groups will receive lifestyle interventions with standard recommended (2 servings a day) and high (4 servings a day) intakes of milk.  Changes over the study will demonstrate the benefits of lifestyle and milk interventions.  The intervention will include 5 family planning sessions with a Registered Dietician to increase intakes of vegetables, fruits and milk/dairy along with more physical activity and less time watching television or using computerized games.  Children will have muscle and fat measured using an x-ray device that also measures bone at the beginning, middle and end of the study.  They will also have a small blood sample taken every 3 months to measure blood sugar, cholesterol and some nutrients.

Why: The goal of the MYLIFE study is to understand the impact of increased dairy products on overweight and obese children who participate in family lifestyle interventions. 

Who: This study is designed for healthy overweight or obese children aged 6-8.5 years old who live in the Montreal (Quebec) area.

Where: This study will take place at the Mary Emily Clinical Nutrition Research Unit in Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue, McGill University.

When:  The MYLIFE Study is currently seeking families to participate.

For more information please contact:

The MYLIFE Team -  514-398-7527 or email healthykids.study@gmail.com