Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2007

Mentor: LeAnn Kridelbaugh, MD
Department: Pediatrics
Room number: Children's Pavilion F4170
Mail Code:
Phone number: 214-456-5285 or 214-456-5326
E-mail: leann.kridelbaugh@childrens.com
Project title: LEAN Families Program Outcomes

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 032006-023

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) patient-based outcomes analysis

Brief Description of Project: The Dean Foods LEAN Families program is a multidisciplinary pediatric weight management program at Children's Medical Center Dallas. The program currently enrolls children 6-11 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age. Program components include initial medical evaluation by the multidisciplinary team, assessment of readiness to change, assessment of quality of life, and assessment of healthy lifestyle behaviors. Following medical evaluation, patients and their families participate in a 12 week lifestyle modification program where they learn about healthy eating and physical activity in a group setting. Families receive individual support from staff "buddies" during the group meetings and through weekly phone calls. Post program participation includes re-assessment of quality of life and healthy lifestyle behaviors. A data base of these measures, family demographic information, patient satisfaction surveys, and anthropometric data is maintained. An exploratory study will be conducted examining the trends in the data gathered during the first year of the project. Data analyses will be performed examining correlates of weight loss, risk factors associated with obesity, changes in lifestyle variables and quality of life indicators. The findings will be used for revising the program content, and for developing a training program for community-based providers on recognizing risk factors for obesity and managing community-dwelling pediatric patients with obesity.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

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