Understanding body fat and energy use in young people with spina bifida
Body Composition and Energy Expenditure in Youth with Spina Bifida
This study is looking at why so many young people with spina bifida struggle with obesity and aims to find better ways to measure body fat and understand how many calories they need, so we can help them manage their weight and stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin Milwaukee NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11070423 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the high rates of obesity in youth with spina bifida, which can reach up to 74%, significantly higher than their peers. The study aims to develop accurate methods for measuring body fat and understanding daily energy expenditure in these individuals. By identifying the right caloric intake needed for maintaining or changing body weight, the research seeks to improve health management for youth with spina bifida. The project will test new approaches to measure body fat that are more suitable for this population.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 0-21 years diagnosed with spina bifida.
Not a fit: Patients without spina bifida or those over the age of 21 may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better health management strategies for youth with spina bifida, reducing obesity-related health risks.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in developing methods for measuring body composition in other populations, but this approach is novel for youth with spina bifida.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Polfuss, Michele — University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
- Study coordinator: Polfuss, Michele
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.