Pitt Researchers Investigate Strategies to “Move More” in New Research Study
By: Courtney Caprara
A new National Institutes of Health-funded research study called GLB Moves is about to begin at the University of Pittsburgh. Andrea Kriska, Ph.D., M.S.; Kaye Kramer, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., R.N., C.C.R.C., and their team will research different strategies to increase movement and achieve weight loss as part of a healthy lifestyle program called Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB).
The GLB program was originally adapted from a successful, nationally funded clinical research study that showed that diabetes could be prevented or delayed by decreasing weight and increasing physical activity. The Pitt investigators modified the national intervention program for use in the community setting and have shown it to be very effective in helping people lose weight, increase physical activity and reduce risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The GLB Moves research study involves taking part in a one-year GLB program focusing on healthy eating, increasing movement and weight loss. Participants will be asked to attend 22 sessions and complete several clinic visits over the course of the year. They will learn strategies for healthy lifestyle change and how to keep track of eating, activity and sitting time.
“We believe that we’re going to see an increase in overall movement by encouraging people to move more, whether they do it by increasing physical activity levels or sitting less,” said Dr. Kriska. “And that will likely lead to a whole host of health improvements, from weight loss to decreasing risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.”
The research study expects to enroll more than 300 participants from the Pittsburgh region. Interested individuals who are at least 40 years of age and overweight will undergo a simple health screening to determine whether they are at risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Screening locations include the Kingsley Association and Vintage Inc. in East Liberty, LifeSpan Senior Services at the Bethel Park Community Center and LifeSpan Inc. Mon-Valley Center in McKeesport.
For more information, call 412-383-1286 or e-mail dpsc@edc.pitt.edu .
A new National Institutes of Health-funded research study called GLB Moves is about to begin at the University of Pittsburgh. Andrea Kriska, Ph.D., M.S.; Kaye Kramer, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., R.N., C.C.R.C., and their team will research different strategies to increase movement and achieve weight loss as part of a healthy lifestyle program called Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB).
