Obesity Research Group
Group leader
On this page:
Overview
The Obesity Research Group and its collaborators undertake research that looks at the causes and consequences of child and adolescent obesity. Obesity is a major public health problem affecting a growing number of children from many countries, including Australia, and which is associated with a range of medical and psychosocial complications.
The Group's work concentrates on the metabolic complications of obesity in children and the factors influencing the development of obesity which can potentially be modified. It is also studying the types of treatment programs that can help children and young people already affected by the condition. Other work investigates how the problem of obesity can be prevented from occurring in the first place.
Research achievements
Paediatric physiotherapist and PhD student, Genevieve Dwyer, developed and validated a tool for measuring physical activity in preschool-aged children, the Pre-PAQ (Preschool-aged children's Physical Activity Questionnaire). Previously there were no simple tools available for professionals to use to measure physical activity levels in large groups of 3 to 5 year olds.
The Obesity Research Group undertook a range of studies looking at options for treating children and adolescents affected by obesity. The Obesity Research Group was one of two sites conducting the innovative PEACH trial, which looked at the effect of parenting interventions on weight outcomes for pre-adolescent children. The Loozit study is a community-based weight management program for obese adolescents, which recent research has shown to be effective in decreasing waist circumference, improving participants' lipid profile and boosting their self esteem.
Additional work has included participation in major systematic reviews of obesity treatment in children and adolescents, and qualitative studies of adolescent-parental interactions around weight issues. This suite of studies includes some of the first lower-cost obesity treatment interventions for use in community settings.
The Obesity Research Group conducted a major Cochrane review on the treatment of child and adolescent obesity, and held a world first case discussion of the child protection issues associated with severe childhood obesity.
