Join the RESPONSES Research Study!
Researchers at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center are examining the mental and physical reactions associated with body weight and not having enough healthy and safe food to eat.
Conducted in Baton Rouge, LA
Compensation
Provided
Provided
BMI of 30-50 kg/m2
18 - 65 Years Old
Fast Facts
African American Women
Study Background Food insecurity, or the lack of sufficient food in both quality and quantity for an active and healthy life, is a pressing health issue in the United States, with over 18% of adults being food insecure. Food insecurity is a risk factor for multiple chronic diseases, including obesity. Importantly, both food insecurity and obesity are more prevalent in African American women compared to other groups. Further, food insecurity is considered a ‘cyclic phenomenon’ with episodes of food adequacy (enough food to eat) and food shortage (not enough food to eat). More research is needed to better understand why food insecurity is linked to obesity, including acknowledging the episodic nature of food insecurity as a stressor and identifying underlying mechanisms. We want to examine the potential role of mental and physical reactions in the relationship between food insecurity and obesity. In this study, we will focus on African American women. Your participation in this study may help improve researchers' understanding of health outcomes related to food insecurity. You can be compensated up to $300 and will also receive a FitBit Sense watch to keep upon successful completion of the study. Contribute to research and join the RESPONSES study today! |
Additional Information
The purpose of the RESPONSES study is to examine the mental and physical reactions associated with body weight and not having enough healthy and safe food to eat.
You may be able to participate if you meet the following criteria:
Inclusion criteria:
Exclusion criteria:
Inclusion criteria:
- 18-65 years old
- Female
- Identify as African American (or more than one race including African American)
- BMI of 30-50 kg/m2
- Able to complete questionnaires in English
- Willing to archive blood & urine samples
- Willing to fast for a minimum of 8-10 hours before clinic visits
Exclusion criteria:
- Given birth in the past 6 months, currently pregnant, or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months
- Currently breastfeeding
- Currently participating in a weight loss program or using medication specifically for weight loss
- Recent weight loss
- Bariatric surgery in the last 5 years or planned bariatric surgery in the next 3 months
- Active cancer or cancer treatment
- Serious digestive disorders that alter metabolism or weight (i.e. uncontrolled IBS)
- Current treatment for alcohol or other substance use disorder
- Uncontrolled significant thyroid disorder
- Uncontrolled significant diabetes (FBS >250) or hypertension (BP >180/100)
- Current diagnosis or treatment for heart failure
- Serious psychiatric illness, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
- Current or recent diagnosis (within last 5 years) of an eating disorder
- Weight more than 380 pounds (due to scale)
First, potential participants will complete a screening visit.
Screening Visit: Before the visit, you will fast for 8-10 hours. At the visit, you will provide written informed consent before we take measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference) and vital signs (blood pressure and pulse). You will also complete a health questionnaire, medical history form, and socio-demographic questionnaire. A blood sample will be collected after an 8-10 hour fast for a chemistry panel. You will leave with a urine collection kit to return with at Visit 1.
If eligible, your participation in this observational study lasts about 22 weeks. Once enrolled, you will record daily body weight and weekly food security and stress assessments. These will occur remotely. There will also be 3 in-person clinic visits which should take less than 2 hours each.
Visit 1: Before the visit, you will fast for 8-10 hours. You return to PBRC for Week 0 assessments, which include measurements (weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, bioelectrical impedance), vital signs (blood pressure and pulse), and psychological questionnaires. A blood sample and urine sample will be collected. We will also obtain food security status, food assistance use, and update socio-demographic information. You will leave PBRC with a scale and wearable/accelerometer (FitBit Sense) to collect daily body weights, physical activity, sleep, and other data.
Visit 2: Around Week 11, you will complete more psychological questionnaires. This visit will occur remotely as part of your weekly check-in.
Visit 3: You will be provided a urine collection kit prior to the visit. Before the visit, you will fast for 8-10 hours. You return to PBRC for Week 22 assessments, including measurements (weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, bioelectrical impedance), vital signs (blood pressure and pulse), and psychological questionnaires. A blood sample and urine sample will be collected. We will also obtain food security status, food assistance use, and update socio-demographic information.
Screening Visit: Before the visit, you will fast for 8-10 hours. At the visit, you will provide written informed consent before we take measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference) and vital signs (blood pressure and pulse). You will also complete a health questionnaire, medical history form, and socio-demographic questionnaire. A blood sample will be collected after an 8-10 hour fast for a chemistry panel. You will leave with a urine collection kit to return with at Visit 1.
If eligible, your participation in this observational study lasts about 22 weeks. Once enrolled, you will record daily body weight and weekly food security and stress assessments. These will occur remotely. There will also be 3 in-person clinic visits which should take less than 2 hours each.
Visit 1: Before the visit, you will fast for 8-10 hours. You return to PBRC for Week 0 assessments, which include measurements (weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, bioelectrical impedance), vital signs (blood pressure and pulse), and psychological questionnaires. A blood sample and urine sample will be collected. We will also obtain food security status, food assistance use, and update socio-demographic information. You will leave PBRC with a scale and wearable/accelerometer (FitBit Sense) to collect daily body weights, physical activity, sleep, and other data.
Visit 2: Around Week 11, you will complete more psychological questionnaires. This visit will occur remotely as part of your weekly check-in.
Visit 3: You will be provided a urine collection kit prior to the visit. Before the visit, you will fast for 8-10 hours. You return to PBRC for Week 22 assessments, including measurements (weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, bioelectrical impedance), vital signs (blood pressure and pulse), and psychological questionnaires. A blood sample and urine sample will be collected. We will also obtain food security status, food assistance use, and update socio-demographic information.
You will be compensated up to $300 for your participation. You will also be provided with a FitBit Sense watch at no cost, which you can keep upon successful completion of the study.
There is no cost for you to participate in this research study. Transportation and ride share options are available upon request at no cost.
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