• The Center's major feature is the Energy Balance Laboratory and contains state-of-the-art instrumentation to measure energy intake and energy expenditure. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, we investigate exercise, nutrition, prevention of obesity, and weight loss in both adults and children.
  • The KU Weight Control Research Program has helped me accomplish something that I have failed to do time and time again over decades on other programs -- change my eating and exercise habits from unhealthy to healthy. The program has been easy to follow with good results. I lost over 35 pounds in 6 months and I now exercise regularly. -- KU Weight Management Program Testimonial
  • The obesity conference is designed for all health care professionals and agencies who have contact with and influence on at-risk populations. The conference focuses on the recent information on treatment and prevention of obesity through nutrition behavior and physical activity.
  • What makes this program work for me is a structured plan that is easy to follow, tangible results that include not only weight loss but other improvements in health including lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, the excitement that comes from dropping 3-4 clothing sizes, a phenomenal group of supportive participants in the program who encourage one another. --KU Weight Management Program Testimonial
  • The Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, one of the Life Span Institute's 12 affiliated research centers, leads major efforts to reduce childhood obesity in elementary and middle schools including local afterschool programs.
  • The KU Weight Management Program can help you obtain the skills and knowledge to lose weight while teaching you healthy lifestyle changes to maintain the weight loss. We are dedicated to helping participants lose weight and maintain that loss over time. The KU Weight Management Program has multiple locations for the Weight Control Research Project.
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Exercise Helps Kids Boost Brain Power

Dr. Matthew Mahar from East Carolina University presented at a first of its kind KU educational conference to look at the impact of physical activity on achievement in children. Watch the Video on Exercise and Kids

Energy Balance Lab in the News

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Current Research Projects

Physical Activity and Academic Achievement Across the Curriculum (A+PAAC)

There is considerable interest in both improving academic achievement and reducing the rates of obesity and its associated negative health consequences in elementary school students. Our researchers are addressing these concerns with this 3-year research study funded by the National Institutes of Health. This study is designed to compare the traditional method of academic instruction to a method in which the regular classroom teachers deliver academic instruction through short bouts (10 to 15 minutes) of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity throughout the school day. There are 17 elementary schools and over 800 students in the area involved in the study. Our researchers are primarily focusing on understanding how incorporating physical activity into the classroom affects academic achievement. They are also examining how the addition of physically active lessons into the classroom affects cognitive function, cardiovascular fitness, BMI, blood pressure, blood chemistry, diet, and daily physical activity.

For questions, please contact study coordinator, Jessica Betts at jlbetts@ku.edu or by phone 785-864-5671.

Weight Loss Program for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

This study is designed to examine how two different programs impact weight loss and weight maintenance in individuals with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. Both programs involve monthly counseling meetings with a health coach and payment for keeping record of food and beverages consumed using picture forms. For more information, please contact Dr. Richard Saunders at rrsaun@ku.edu or by phone 913-579-6043 during normal business hours.

1 set vs. 3 sets Weight Training Program

This study is designed to investigate the effects of two levels of resistance weight training on body composition, energy expenditure, and energy intake in men and women. The weight training will take about one hour to complete. You will perform the training 3 days per week for 9 months in a private exercise room equipped with state of the art equipment and a personal trainer to help guide you through the exercises. The project lasts 21 months total with one follow-up visit 1-year from your last training date. You will be required to stay in the Lawrence area and train 3 day/week over the summer and holidays. Our exercise facility is open from 7am to 7pm Monday-Friday and 10am-1pm on Saturday. Learn More

Weight Loss and Brain Function Predictors

This study is designed to investigate brain structure differences that may help to predict those that are most successful in weight loss and weight maintenance. Learn more

KU Weight Management Program

The KU Weight Control Research Project (WCRP) has been operating since the 1980's and consists of two branches: 1. ongoing externally funded clinical research projects and 2. minimal-research weight management programs. Both programs use a holistic approach to cover all aspects of successful weight reduction and weight management, including nutrition, physical activity, and the emotional/cognitive aspects of behavior change. We approach weight management as a lifestyle change, one that will be made over time and continued through life. Learn more

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