Research
Clinical and Research Opportunities
Trainees from all disciplines have the opportunity to take part in a rich array of clinical and research programs currently underway with the UNC Eating Disorders Program. The Research component of the program includes a wide array of projects covering topics ranging from anorexia nervosa to obesity and using methodologies ranging from molecular genetics to clinical trials. At any given time, the eating disorders program includes junior faculty trainees (K-awardees), post-doctoral fellows, PhD students in nutrition, residents, medical students, undergraduate trainees. The following excerpts provide a snapshot of available research opportunities.
Eating Disorders Projects
Eating Disorders and Pregnancy Outcome in 100,000 Births
This NICHD study explores the impact of eating disorders, related behaviors and nutrition during the perinatal period on pregnancy outcome in a sample of 100,000 births in Norway . In addition to rich dietary and environmental information, we have eating disorders assessments on mothers prior to and during pregnancy and ongoing assessments of eating behavior and attitudes in the children as they now enter the toddler years. Plans for the study include following this cohort of children into adulthood. DNA is available on children and parents for genetic analysis.
Link to Study Information
Genetics of Anorexia Nervosa
This is a multicenter NIH funded study to collect diagnostic and other phenotypic data and blood samples from multiplex anorexia nervosa kindreds. These data will become part of a national archival resource for genetic studies of anorexia nervosa. UNC is both one of the statistical cores as well as an adjunct clinical participant collection site. http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/angenetics/contact/html.
Risk Factors for Anorexia Nervosa in Swedish Twins
The Foundation of Hope funded study is a genetic epidemiological investigation of eating disorders in a cohort of 40,000 Swedish twins. In addition, we have prospective data from 1973 obtained prior to the onset of anorexia that allows us to explore the impact of various risk factors on eventual risk for developing anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. http://www.meb.ki.se/twinreg/
Price Foundation Genetic Studies of Eating Disorders
For the past decade, the Price Foundation has sponsored three large data collection efforts for exploring the molecular genetics of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Dr. Bulik is the director of the editorial core for the Price Foundation and a member of the Genetic Analysis Core. These datasets represent the largest extant databases of individuals with eating disorders (and their parents) in the world and include rich phenotypic as well as genotypic information.
http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/pfanbn/
Obesity/Overweight Projects
Application of technology to the treatment of eating disorders and obesity:
CD-ROM Based CBT for Binge-Eating Disorder and Obesity
This NIMH funded project led to the development of a CD-ROM based CBT program to treat binge-eating disorder and obesity in adults. We are in the final stages of completing the first clinical trial comparing CD-ROM to traditional group CBT to a wait list control. This represents the first in a series of investigations of the application of this program in the rational stepped-care of obesity and binge-eating in adults. Link: http://www.empower-plan.com/
Text-messaging for the treatment of childhood overweight
This LINC (Linking Interventions for Children) funded investigation utilizes text message-based self monitoring and automated feedback to treat childhood overweight in the context of the family. Overweight children and a parent input self-monitoring about sugar sweetened beverages, screen time, and activity level into a cell phone and receive immediate tailored automated feedback based on their behavior that day. We are conducting a clinical trial comparing text messaging based feedback with traditional paper and pencil self-monitoring versus usual care for overweight children ages 5-8. http://www.getkidsinaction.org/
Fun, Food, and Fitness.
This is a family-based child-focused web-delivered program for children ages 6-11. It provides colorful and interactive exercises on healthy nutrition, increasing water drinking, decreasing sugar sweetened beverage consumption, increasing physical activity, and becoming a savvy consumer. Following completion of the programming, we will be testing this program in a variety of clinical trials.
http://www.empower-plan.com
UNC Interdisciplinary Obesity Center (IDOC)
Dr. Bulik is the behavioral cluster leader of UNC's Interdisciplinary Obesity Center which is an NIH Roadmap designed to forward interdisciplinary obesity science. Participation in this center includes the cooperation of a wide variety of investigators from diverse fields focused on developing novel approaches to the obesity epidemic. http://www.cpc.unc.edu/idoc
