Pennington Biomedical Research Center Experts Available to Speak on Research Efforts During Childhood Obesity Awareness
Formally recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September is designated as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in the United States. At Pennington Biomedical, researchers explore a wide array of scientifically proven causes, treatment, and prevention programs for childhood obesity, including healthy food choices, environmental factors, and community parks and playgrounds.
Throughout the month, scientists and experts from Pennington Biomedical are available to speak on various aspects of their research on childhood obesity.
"Seventy percent of children or adolescents who develop obesity will continue to have this chronic disease as adults," said Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical. "At Pennington Biomedical, we are committed to research that improves health across the lifespan. Our dedicated researchers are continuously searching for ways to prevent and address childhood obesity."
To speak with a Pennington Biomedical expert on childhood obesity, please contact Ernie Ballard (ernie.ballard@pbrc.edu) or Joe Coussan (joe.coussan@pbrc.edu) in Pennington Biomedical's Office of Communications and Marketing to set up interviews.
- Stephanie T. Broyles, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Contextual Risk Factors
Expertise: How the different contexts in which we live – e.g., neighborhood, work, parks, social networks – shape our disease risks and health outcomes.
Email: Stephanie.broyles@pbrc.edu - Emily Flanagan, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher, Reproductive Endocrinology and Women's Health
Expertise: Energy intake and expenditure during pregnancy and in neonates in order to understand the intergenerational transmission of obesity and metabolic disease. She studies neonatal brown adipose tissue and energy expenditure.
Email: emily.flanagan@pbrc.edu - Steven B. Heymsfield, M.D., Professor and Director of the Body Composition-Metabolism Laboratory
Expertise: Obesity; Weight Loss Treatments; Methods of Evaluating Body Composition; New Technologies for Studying Human Metabolism, such as Smartwatches and Smartphones; the Shape Up! Keiki research study – for children up to 5 years old – to create a better way to measure and describe health from body shape.
Email: steven.heymsfield@pbrc.edu - Melissa Martin, MBA, Director of the Greaux Healthy Initiative
Expertise: Geaux Healthy aims to reduce childhood obesity through statewide partnerships based on scientifically proven obesity treatment and prevention programs.
Email: Melissa.Martin@pbrc.edu - Robert L. Newton, Jr., Ph.D., Professor; Physical Activity & Ethnic Minority Health
Expertise: Health Disparities in African American children, adults, and older adults; Physical Activity Promotion Interventions.
Email: robert.newton@pbrc.edu - Leanne M. Redman, M.S., Ph.D., LPFA Endowed Fellowship; Associate Executive Director for Scientific Education; Professor; Reproductive Endocrinology & Women's Health
Expertise: Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Gestational Diabetes; Obesity and Menopause; Pregnancy; Breastfeeding.
Email: leanne.redman@pbrc.edu - Philip R. Schauer, M.D., United Companies Life Insurance Co./Mary Kay, and Terrell Brown; Chair Professor; Clinical Metabolic Surgery Lab Expertise: Obesity; Diabetes; Metabolic Surgery; Outcomes of Metabolic Surgery. Visit Metamor Institute.
Email: philip.schauer@pbrc.edu - Amanda E. Staiano, Ph.D., Associate Professor; Pediatric Obesity and Health Behavior
Expertise: Family-based Weight Management Programs; Technology to decrease pediatric obesity; Technology to promote physical activity; Children's Physical Activity.
Email: amanda.staiano@pbrc.edu
What you should know about childhood obesity:
It's not a character flaw. It's a disease. Children with obesity have brains and bodies that are wired to gain weight and keep it on. They also live in a world that surrounds them with unhealthy foods and activities 24/7/365.
It's not inevitable. Scientists have proven that realistic strategies, like limiting consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, increasing regular physical activity, and reducing sedentary activity, can decrease the risk of children developing obesity.
It's not harmless. Seven out of 10 children with obesity grow up to be adults with obesity. Those adults go on to have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dementia, and stroke.
It's not funny. The belittling treatment that children with obesity endure – from children and adults alike – can create scars that last a lifetime.
There's good news. Childhood obesity is preventable. Family members, caregivers and other role models play an integral part in helping children make healthy choices. Pennington Biomedical's Pediatric Research Program focuses on understanding, preventing and treating obesity and diabetes in children, integrating clinical research, community outreach and education to address these health challenges.
About the Pennington Biomedical Research Center
The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. The Center conducts basic, clinical, and population research, and is a campus of the LSU System. The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes over 530 employees within a network of 44 clinics and research laboratories, and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Its scientists and physician/scientists are supported by research trainees, lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and other support personnel. Pennington Biomedical is a state-of-the-art research facility on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge. For more information, see www.pbrc.edu.
Provided by Louisiana State University