Clinical/Behavioral Program Area
This program area will focus on psychological, family, psychosocial, and biological factors influencing obesity risk and maintenance and evidence-based clinical management of obesity encompassing behavioral, medical, and surgical interventions.
In order to address the obesity epidemic successfully, a broad palette of interventions is necessary. Obesity is a complex trait, influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. As such, multiple avenues of intervention must be addressed including behavioral, medical, and surgical. Just as multiple approaches to chronic diseases such as hypertension exist, so must we develop an array of options for the treatment and prevention of obesity. A “one intervention fits all” approach does not respect the etiological heterogeneity underlying obesity. Interdisciplinary research is required to enrich our approach to behavioral and biological factors that influence obesity risk as well as successful weight loss and maintenance. Likewise, in order to develop appropriate effective interventions across the age span, socioeconomic spectrum, and for range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, an integrated interdisciplinary approach is essential. Finally, in addition to novel approaches to prevention and treatment, we will also explore novel delivery systems with special emphasis on the integration of modern information technology into effective weight management and relapse prevention strategies.
Members of this program area are:
| Cynthia Bulik, head Psychiatry |
clinical, laboratory, family twin, and genetic research in eating disorders and in body weight regulation |
| Jarrett Barnhill Psychiatry |
diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of autism and other developmental disabilities |
| Brenda DeVellis Health Behaviors and Health Education |
social determinants of health promotive and disease preventive behaviors |
| Maureen Dymek-Valentine Psychiatry |
cognitive-behavioral and family-based interventions for obesity and eating disorders |
| Tim Farrell Surgery |
bariatrics: long-term survival |
| James C. Garbutt Psychiatry |
pathways between sweet preferences, opioids; antagonist treatment and eating disorders |
| Karen Gil Psychology |
chronic illness, acute and chronic pain, stress and coping, child and family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy |
| Karen Graham Psychiatry |
antipsychotic induced weight gain |
| Alexei Kampov-Polevoi Psychiatry |
hedonistic response to sweet taste and a propensity to excessive alcohol drinking |
| Hermine Maes Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University |
behavioral genetics of obesity |
| Bernadette Marriott RTI |
environmental-behavioral psychology, nutrition |
| Eliana Perrin Pediatrics |
primary care pediatrics, BMI screening |
| Linmarie Sikich Psychiatry |
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| Nancy Zucker Director, Duke Eating Disorders Program |
family-based interventions for child overweight |
