This study is proposed to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute aimed at reducing gestational weight gain in overweight pregnant women, including those underserved, uninsured minority women who attend the Prentice Ambulatory Care (PAC) Clinic.

My Healthy Lifestyle:A study of prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity in minority children and families.

This is unique because it fills the gap between the pediatrician visits, where risk factors are identified and treatment is recommended, but there is insufficient time and personnel to do the challenging work of helping these families make it happen. Our research nutritionist serves as a Lifestyle Coach to help them make these changes in their lives. It impacts the entire family.

Medical Nutrition Education: Nutrition Academic Award Follow-Up Maternal Nutrition Project

This is a unique program in third year medical students to help them develop counseling skills while they in turn help teach pregnant women about the importance of good nutrition. This is a model that could be adopted in every medical school in the country as a win-win situation.

Dietary Intervention Study in Children Follow-Up Study: DISC 2006-2009

The original DISC study was funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for ten years. The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial in six clinical centers across the United States was to test the efficacy, safety and feasibility of a low fat diet in growing prepubescent children with elevated LDL-cholesterol levels. A National Cancer Institute (NCI) ancillary study of hormones documented a reduced level of serum estrogen among the girls who were randomized to the Diet Modification arm of the study. This follow-up study is measuring whether diet changes made during the time of puberty have any potential long-term benefits for reducing long term risk of breast cancer.

Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Extension Study

The DPM is a Vanguard center for this multi-center collaborative trial among over 165,000 post-menopausal women across 40 clinical centers nationwide. While the original study was completed in 2006, the current follow up study will continue through 2010. The Diet Modification (DM) study was one of three randomized, controlled clinical trials conducted by WHI nationally, specifically to test whether a diet low in fat (20% of total kcal/day) and increased in fruits and vegetables, would reduce risk of breast cancer.

Cardiovascular disease and colon cancer were additional outcomes of primary interest, but the diet was not specifically focused on these other diseases.

Other Nutrition-Related Efforts

The Journal of the American Dietetic Association: 2003-Present

The DPM Nutrition Faculty and associated staff are engaged in the monthly publication of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Dr Linda Van Horn is the Editor in Chief. Dr Patricia Sheean, Dr Sujata Archer, Kimberly Thedford, MS, RD, Eileen Vincent, MS, RD and Claire Zulkey, MA contribute to the ongoing publication of this Journal.