Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center
2015 Annual Report
Objectives
Perform research and establish research subawards as deemed appropriate, that addresses the cause and effects of obesity and obesity related disorders as well as develop and evaluate strategies to prevent obesity and obesity related diseases.
Approach
USDA-ARS and Baylor College of Medicine are both interested in the significant public health problem caused by obesity in the United States. The rise in obesity is the result of multiple factors with different degrees of impact. A clearer understanding is needed in the integrated roles of physical activity, diet and dietary components in energy metabolism, eating behavior and timing, satiety, and health outcomes. Research efforts will be taken that addresses individual variation in maintaining body weight, achieving a healthy body weight, preventing the development of obesity and its related diseases, and other health associated factors. A better understanding is needed of the scientific, social, environmental, and cultural processes that guide people to adopt and sustain healthful food choices, eating behaviors and physical activity patterns in the Lower Mississippi Delta Region and the south central US.
To achieve these research objectives, Baylor College of Medicine and as appropriate, in cooperation with specific institutions from the three states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi (via the use of subawards), will conduct research associated with addressing the obesity epidemic in the south central U.S.
Progress Report
Various university research teams have developed research plans to address obesity prevention in the southern US where obesity is prevalent. These plans are currently undergoing the ARS - Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR) for scientific review. More details will be shared in next year's report.
Accomplishments
