Second stage volunteers required for obesity trial

May 10, 2005

More than 40 overweight young children from the Illawarra region are being sought to participate in the second stage of one of the first randomised controlled trials of its kind in Australia that will help determine how best to tackle their obesity problem.

The University of Wollongong and the University of Newcastle are jointly working on the trial known as HIKCUPS (Hunter and Illawarra Kids Challenge Using Parental Support) which has National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding. Newcastle is conducting a similar trial throughout the Hunter region.

The children, aged six to nine, are being randomly placed in one of three programs - (1) a physical activity program; (2) a dietary modification program (involving parents and run by a dietician from Wollongong Hospital); and (3) a program which combines physical activity and dietary modification.

Dr Rachel Jones, Project Manager at the Child Obesity Research Centre, University of Wollongong, said it was hoped to determine how better it might be for children to be on the combined program rather than just a physical activity or dietary modification program.

She said 100 children overall were needed to be split into three cohorts. Cohort 1 started in term 2 of the 2005 school year, and now researchers are seeking participants for cohort 2 in term 3. Cohort 3 will be conducted in term 4.

Children will need to visit the University one afternoon a week from 3.30pm to 5.30pm for whatever school term in which they may be involved.

Dr Jones said among the benefits for participating children will be a free blood profile revealing any cholesterol or insulin problems and at the same time they will receive expert advice on good eating habits and learn various fun physical activity skills that will put them on the path to lifelong physical activity and diet patterns.

“Obesity in childhood can cause immediate and long-term medical and psychosocial complications such as low self-esteem, high cholesterol levels and glucose intolerance,” Dr Jones said.

Please note: Parents wishing to have their children participate in one of the programs should phone (02) 4221 5551.

Media seeking further information should contact Dr Rachel Jones on her mobile -- 0402 050592.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128