Research Studies

HOPE at NYU fosters a model of interdisciplinary collaboration, engaging scientific and clinical leaders from NYU and the wider community in an effort to accelerate research on the prevention and treatment of obesity in children and adolescents.

HOPE supports two major clinical research initiatives: Prevention and Treatment. Each is designed to decrease the prevalence of obesity in our nation's youth.

PREVENTION
The first initiative, focusing on obesity prevention, involves the development, testing and eventual dissemination of a family and school prevention program for preschoolers. Learn more…

Below are recent findings from HOPE–supported prevention studies. Click on the link to connect to the full scientific abstract.

• Family preventive intervention in the preschool period reduces BMI in preadolescent African American and Latina girls
• Prenatal tobacco exposure increases risk of obesity in preadolescent African American and Latino boys and girls.
• Mental health problems in the preschool period increase risk of obesity in adolescence; overweight in the preschool period increases risk of mental health problems in adolescence.
• Parent perceptions of neighborhood danger relate to overweight in African American preschoolers.

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TREATMENT
The second HOPE initiative focuses on the treatment of obesity through the systematic evaluation of gastric lap-band surgery in morbidly obese adolescents. Learn more…

Below are recent findings from HOPE–supported treatment studies. Click on the link to connect to the full scientific abstract.

• At one and two year follow-up, LAGB continues to be an effective treatment strategy, associated with improved or resolved co-morbid conditions.
• LAGP in adolescents results primarily in loss of android (visceral) fat mass, as well as gynecoid fat mass, and lean mass.
• LAGP in morbidly obese adolescents causes significant weight loss without impeding bone maturation.
• Lap-band surgery results in improvements in overall well-being and functioning in obese adolescents. Pre-existing mental health problems predict extent of weight loss 6 months following Lap-band surgery.

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OTHER HOPE-RELATED STUDIES
In addition to work funded directly by HOPE, our faculty members are involved in a number of additional studies that make important contributions to the fields of obesity prevention and treatment.

Below are recent findings from studies conducted by our faculty members.

• Nutritional practices at daycare centers fail to meet nutritional guidelines for children. Daycare directors recognize need for better nutritional education of staff and parents.

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