AHFMR News
Researcher develops a better weight-loss plan
(Calgary, AB) Thursday, April 3, 2008... Nearly one third of Canadians are obese. Many people turn to popular weight-loss and dieting programs to help them reduce their weight. However, research shows that many cannot sustain weight loss over the long-term, because they do not keep up the habits advocated by these programs. Erin Moss, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Calgary, is looking at ways to improve the outcomes and long-term results for individuals enrolled in behavioral weight-loss programs.
Through the use of interview techniques similar to those used to treat addictive disorders in mental health, Erin hopes to gain a better understanding of the factors that help people make dietary and exercise changes, and to maintain these changes over time. She works with people enrolled in the TrymGym program, a unique behavioral weight-loss program at the University of Calgary.
Erin's research is supported by a unique partnership between the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) and the Alberta Mental Health Board (AMHB).
| What: | Media opportunity to interview medical researcher: Erin Moss | |
| When: | Friday, April 04, 2008 | |
| Time: | 09:30 AM - 11:30 AM (one-on-one interviews) * | |
| Where: |
University of Calgary Main Campus - Kinesiology Building: Health & Recreation Centre - 2nd Floor Running Track |
* Please call Dwayne Brunner, AHFMR Communications, at (403) 619-4556 for more information
A Photo Opportunity with a researcher in a fitness area will be available
Backgrounder
Erin's research will investigate the use of different types of interviewing styles in the treatment of obesity. Specifically, she is interested in determining how to best address ambivalence about change, promote adherence to dietary and physical activity changes, and tailor treatment to client-specific goals.
Increased research attention in the area of obesity is imperative as just under one-third of the Canadian population is considered obese. Behavioral weight-loss programs are the current gold standard for obesity treatment. These programs address three components to achieve weight loss: nutrition, exercise, and individual behaviors.
An individual is considered obese if his or her Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 and above. (A BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight.) The BMI describes the body weight relative to height, it correlates strongly (in adults) with the total body fat content.
Erin Moss is in the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Dr. Kristin von Ranson, a psychology researcher who specializes in issues related to eating disorders.
TrymGym is a comprehensive weight-loss and lifestyle change program composed of behavior change, nutrition education, and physical activity. Started in 1972 as a service for patients of the University of Calgary Medical Clinic, TrymGym quickly expanded to the community at large. Over the past 36 years, TrymGym has assisted more than 15,000 people achieve sustainable weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. TrymGym is taught by a team of health professionals which includes registered nurses, registered dietitians, social workers, certified physiologists, and fitness professionals.
The Alberta Mental Health Board (AMHB) is a provincial health authority that oversees and advances the mental health system in Alberta, serves in an advisory capacity to government, and works with health regions and public and private organizations to address system-wide mental health priority issues that span national, provincial, regional, and organizational boundaries. For more information, visit www.amhb.ab.ca
The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) currently provides funding for more than 600 researchers and researchers-in-training at the province's three main universities. AHFMR's commitment is to fund health research based on international standards of excellence and carried out by new and established investigators and researchers-in-training. Since 1980 AHFMR has provided more than $950 million in funding to Alberta's medical research community. For more information, visit www.ahfmr.ab.ca