Obesity and the Digestive System
Lori J. Stark, PhD, ABPP
Professor and Director, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
Department of Pediatrics; Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
Visit the Stark Lab
Description of Research
Dr. Stark has a longstanding interest in examining behavioral and environmental factors that contribute to nutritional health and eating disorders. She has had funding from the NIH to examine barriers and interventions to improve adherence to dietary treatment in cystic fibrosis (CF), to improve calcium intake in order to improve bone mass, and currently to develop innovative treatments for preschool obesity. Her studies in CF have found that achieving the dietary recommendations for optimal nutritional status is challenging as children with CF must exceed the recommended energy intake for same age children. In trying to achieve these dietary goals parents often resort to ineffective parenting strategies that not only do not work but have a negative effect on family functioning. She had designed effective behavioral interventions to increase caloric intake and reduce parent-child distress during meals. She has also applied this methodology to other nutritional problems most recently addressing obesity in preschool age children.
Collaborations
Dr. Stark works with with Dr. Powers on the evaluation of behavioral intervention to improve nutritional status of young children with cystic fibrosis. Anticipated Core use: Biostatistical service.
