A recipient of internal pilot funding (GCRC-CReFF Award 2004-2005) and subsequently, external funding (NIDDK R03 2005-2007) Dr. Zeller has worked in association with pediatric surgeon and researcher, Dr. Thomas Inge, to identify psychosocial benefits of bariatric surgery in the treatment of severely obese adolescents and the psychosocial predictors of successful surgical outcomes (Outlook Study).
These pilot data served to inform the psychosocial aims of the multi-center surgical research consortium examining longitudinal outcomes in adolescents with extreme obesity undergoing bariatric surgery (Teen-LABS or the Teen Longitudinal Assessment in Bariatric Surgery).
Dr. Zeller obtained additional funding (R01 2008-2013) for an ancillary study (TeenView) to address gaps in the TeenLABS study by documenting the emotional health and quality of life experienced by extremely obese adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery as well as the non-operative comparative group and their female caregivers.
Additionally, in collaboration with Dr. David Sarwer, Dr. Zeller is a co-investigator on another ancillary study to Teen-LABS examining dietary intake and eating behaviors in adolescents who undergo bartiatric surgery (TeenIntake).
