Obesity & Weight Management
Obesity is an escalating problem for all age groups in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults and 46 percent of children are obese. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is at the forefront of obesity prevention, research and treatment and its faculty members have developed community, education and technology-based obesity intervention programs that have worldwide impact. Healthcare specialists are available to discuss obesity prevention, genetics, nutrition, surgical solutions, childhood obesity, fertility and obesity co-morbidities and chronic diseases.
UT public health professor receives grant to study Latinos’ body image
Cristina Barroso, Dr.P.H., assistant professor of health promotion and behavioral sciences at The University of Texas School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus, has received a two-year, $75,000 grant from Salud America! to research how Mexican-Americans in the Lower Rio Grande Valley perceive body image.
UT researchers test rice consumption's impact on Metabolic Syndrome
It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans have metabolic syndrome, which is marked primarily by abdominal obesity, increased blood pressure and insulin resistance or glucose intolerance. Researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston are studying whether a diet of rice improves symptoms associated with this condition.
A True Picture of Success
UT Bariatric Surgery physicians offer 3-D scanner to help patients visualize weight loss
Physicians with The University of Texas Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Center are now offering a new tool to help patients visualize their surgical weight-loss goals and remain motivated to achieve and maintain them.
The 3-D white light scanner is the first in Houston to provide patients the most accurate measurements of their body before and after surgery. Patients stand unclothed in a booth equipped with 16 cameras. In a matter of seconds it scans 2 million points on the body.
The scanned image including measurements from the neck to the knees are captured in a Novaptus software program. Erik B. Wilson, M.D., chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive & Elective General Surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, said this technology helps the Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas healthcare team monitor weight loss while giving patients a true picture of their progress.
UT School of Public Health launches farmer's market to combat obesity
To fight an epidemic of obesity and its life-threatening complications in the Brownsville area, faculty and students at The University of Texas School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus have come up with a strong weapon: a farmer's market loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Related News Releases
Robotic Surgery Lowers Risk of a Rare but Serious Complication of Gastric Bypass
UT Physicians Begin Clinical Study of Incision-Free Obesity Treatment
UT-Houston Surgeons Offer New Procedure to Help Patients Lose Weight
UT-Houston Surgeons Offer Obese Patients New Tools to “REALIZE™” Weight Loss
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More Obesity Research Projects at The University of Texas Health Science Center
CATCH
(Coordinated Approach To Child Health)
For over 20 years, the CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) program has guided schools, families, and children in the process of being healthy. CATCH is a Texas Education Agency-approved program designed to promote physical activity, healthy food choices and prevent tobacco use in elementary school-aged children. CATCH, the largest school-based health promotion study in the country has demonstrated that behaviors such as eating foods high in saturated fat and physical inactivity can be changed.
CATCH focuses on four components: the Eat Smart school nutrition program, grades K-5 and 6-8 classroom curriculum, a physical education program and a family program.
Research results have shown that CATCH, by teaching children that eating healthy and being physically active every day can be fun, can promote behavior change. To date, CATCH has been adopted by more than 7,000 schools in the United States and more than 2,500 elementary schools in Texas, potentially impacting more than 800,000 children in Texas.
CATCH is just one of many programs at the Michael& Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living at The University of Texas School of Public Health.
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Clinicians & Researchers
Cristina Barroso, Dr.PH
Perry E. Bickel, M.D.
Henry S. Brown, III, Ph.D.
R. Sue Day, Ph.D.
Soledad Liliana Escobar-Chaves, Dr.PH
Alexandra Evans, Ph.D., MPH
Deanna M. Hoelscher, Ph.D., RD, LD, CNS
Kevin O. Hwang, M.D., M.P.H.
Steven H. Kelder, Ph.D., MPH
Connie Klein, NP
Harold W. Kohl, III, Ph.D.
Nancy Murray, Dr.PH
Cheryl L. Perry, Ph.D.
Belinda Reininger, Dr.PH
Shreela Sharma, Ph.D., RD, LD
Brad E. Snyder, M.D.
Melissa Stigler, Ph.D.
Heinrich Taegtmeyer, M.D.
Ximena Urrutia-Rojas, RN, Dr.PH
Deepa A. Vasudevan, M.D.
Erik B. Wilson, M.D.
Todd D. Wilson, M.D.
Carol Wolin-Riklin, MA, RD, LD
David J. Wainwright, M.D.
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