Abstract

The goal of the proposed research is to improve the treatment of obesity, a significant health hazard, by major innovations in therapeutic technique and by multidisciplinary study of the pathogenesis and possible etiology of obesity. The first specifc aim of the therapeutic endeavors is to improve the effectiveness of behavioral treatment of adult obesity by four means: (1) combining behavior therapy with very low calorie diet to increase the weight loss over that achieved in traditional programs, (2) developing an intensive behavioral program designed for the first time to focus on maintenance of weight lost with the help of the very low calorie diet, (3) testing the efficacy of this new treatment program against traditional behavioral and dietary programs in a large-scale trial, and (4) developing predictors of outcome of treatment through intensive physiological and psychological assessment procedures. Studies of pathogenesis and possible etiology of obesity include: (1) a study of the caloric intake and output of obese girls, following up our earlier demonstration of increased caloric intake and no decrease in caloric output among obese boys and (2) assessment of the role of endogenous opiates in food intake and anxiety reduction of obese humans.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Award (K05)
Project #
5K05MH000245-09
Application #
3075609
Study Section
Research Scientist Development Review Committee (MHK)
Project Start
1979-05-01
Project End
1989-04-30
Budget Start
1987-05-01
Budget End
1988-04-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104

  Publications

Berkowitz, R; Stunkard, A J; Stallings, V A (1993) Binge-eating disorder in obese adolescent girls. Ann N Y Acad Sci 699:200-6
Stunkard, A (1990) A description of eating disorders in 1932. Am J Psychiatry 147:263-8
Griffiths, M; Payne, P R; Stunkard, A J et al. (1990) Metabolic rate and physical development in children at risk of obesity. Lancet 336:76-8
Foster, G D; Wadden, T A; Mullen, J L et al. (1988) Resting energy expenditure, body composition, and excess weight in the obese. Metabolism 37:467-72
Spiegel, T A; Stunkard, A J; Shrager, E E et al. (1987) Effect of naltrexone on food intake, hunger, and satiety in obese men. Physiol Behav 40:135-41
Stunkard, A J; Foch, T T; Hrubec, Z (1986) A twin study of human obesity. JAMA 256:51-4
Brownell, K D; Stunkard, A J; McKeon, P E (1985) Weight reduction at the work site: a promise partially fulfilled. Am J Psychiatry 142:47-52
Wadden, T A; Stunkard, A J (1985) Social and psychological consequences of obesity. Ann Intern Med 103:1062-7