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Research Mission
The PHWRTC is committed to preventing and reducing childhood obesity in eastern North Carolina and across the state and nation by conducting collaborative research studies and projects. 

Associate membership in the PHWRTC provides an easy way for ECU faculty, health professionals and others to become acquainted, network and develop multidisciplinary studies together. The Pediatric Healthy Weight Forums, held twice monthly, and our annual childhood obesity summits also facilitate the sharing of research ideas and results to ECU and the wider community.

Research Grants and Contracts   |   Publications    |   Presentations

Research Grants and Contracts
Currently funded grants and contracts associated with the PHWRTC or that provide faculty support on obesity-related projects include:

• Ammerman, A (Lazorick, S, Co-I at 10% effort). Primary Care and Communities Tackling Obesity in Kids. NICHD. August 2006-July 2010. $169,170.
   
• Collier, DN, Crawford, YS. ECU "Take Off 4-Health" Residential Summer Camp and Follow Up Program for High Risk Youth. Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation Community Benefits and Health Initiatives. July 2008-2009. $65,000.
  
  
• Collier, DN, Crawford, YS. 6th Annual Pediatric Healthy Weight Summit: Developing Healthy Communities. Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation Community Benefits and Health Initiatives. July 2008-June 2009. $4,000.
  
  
• Collier, DN, Kolasa, KM. Practice-Based Nutrition Project to Reduce Childhood Obesity. NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund. July 2008-June 2010. $253,506.
  
  
• Collier, DN, Henes, S, Kolasa, K, Olsson, J. KIDPOWER Dietitian. Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation Community Benefits and Health Initiatives, July 2008-June 2009. $33,000.
  
  
• Grossi, SG. Anti-inflammatory effect of triclosan/copolymer dentifrice in subjects with moderate gingivitis. Colgate-Palmolive Company. December 2007-June 2009. $267,848.
  
  
• Grossi, SG. ECU Preventive Dentistry Program. Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. July 2007-June 2010. $295,781.
  
  
• Houmard, J, (Collier, DN, Co-I at 10% effort). Age-related insulin resistance, muscle and exercise. NIH/NIDDK. September 2005-August 2010. $1,777,753.
  
  
• Lazorick, S. Integration of Population Health into Primary Care Residency Programs, Brody School of Medicine and Pitt County Memorial Hospital. AAMC/CDC. January 2008-September 2008. $25,000.
  
  
• Novick, L (Lazorick, S, Co-I at 10% effort). Integration of Population Health into the Medical School Curriculum, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University. AAMC/CDC. January 2008-September 2008. $25,000.
  
  
• Whetstone, LM, Kolasa, KM, Cummings, DM and Morrissey, S: Supplemental Award for Evaluation of the Childhood Obesity Prevention/Reduction Initiative. North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission. November 2007-March 2008. $11,000.
  
  

Publications

• Beck, JD, Couper, DJ, Falkner, KL, Graham, SP, Grossi, SG, Gunsolley, JC, Madden T, Maupome, G, Offenbacher, S, Stewart, DD, Trevisan, M, Van Dyke, TE. The periodontitis and vascular events (PAVE) pilot study: Adverse events. J. Periodontology. 2008; 79:90-96.
  
  
• Collier, DN, Waller, CW, Perkin, RM. Obesity. In Pediatric Hospital Medicine: Textbook of Inpatient Management, 2nd Edition, edited by Perkin, RM, Swift, JD, Newton, DA, Anas, N. Philadephia PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008.
  
  
• Couper, DJ, Beck, JD, Falkner, KL, Genco, RJ, Graham, SP, Grossi, SG, Gunsolley, JC, Madden, T, Maupome, G, Offenbacher, S, Stewart, DD, Trevisan, M, Van Dyke, TE. The periodontitis and vascular events (PAVE) pilot study: Recruitment, retention and community care controls. J. Periodontology. 2008; 79:80-89.
  
  
• Cummings, DM, Henes, ST, Kolasa, KM, Olsson, JM, Collier, DN. Insulin resistance status: Predicting weight loss in overweight children. J Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2008; 162:764-768.
  
  
• Grossi, SG, Collier, DN, Perkin, RM. Integrating oral health care of overweight children: A model of care whose time has come. J Pediatr 2008; 152: 451-2.
  
  
• Perrin, EM, Vann, J, Lazorick, S, Ammerman, A, Teplin, S, Flower, K, Gizlace, Z, Benjamin, J. Bolstering self-efficacy for nutrition and physical activity counseling in resident and community pediatricians. Patient Education and Counseling. 2008. In press.
  
  
• Pratt, K, Lamson, A, Collier, DN, Crawford, YS, Harris,  N, Gross, K, Ballard, S, Sarvey, S, Saporito, M. Camp Golden Treasures: A multidisciplinary residential summer camp for overweight youth in eastern North Carolina. Fam Syst Health. 2008. In press.
  
  
• Rawl, R, Kolasa, KM, Lee, J, Whetstone, LM. A learn and serve nutrition program: The Food Literacy Partners Program. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2008; 40: 49-51.
  
  
• Genco, RJ, Falkner, K, Grossi, S, Dunford, R, Trevisan, M. Validity of self-reported measures for surveillance of periodontal disease in two western New York population-based studies. J. Periodontology. 2007; 78 (Suppl): 1439-1454.
  
  
• Goodson, MJ, Gunsolley, JC, Grossi, SG, Bland, PS, Otomo-Corgel, J, Doherty, F, Comiskey, J. Minocycline microspheres reduce red complex bacteria in periodontal disease therapy. J. Peridontology. 2007; 78:1568-1579.
  
  
• Grossi, SG, Goodson, MJ, Gunsolley, JC, Bland, PS, Otomo-Corgel, J, Doherty, F, Comiskey, J. Mechanical therapy with adjunctive minocycline microspheres reduce red complex bacteria in current smokers. J. Peridontology. 2007; 78: 1741-1750.
  
  
• Henes, ST, Kolasa, KM. A review of "A Parent's Guide to Childhood Obesity: A Road Map to Health." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, July/August 2007; 39(4): 240-241.
  
  
• Whetstone, LM, Morrissey, SL, Cummings, DM. Children at risk: Weight description as a predictor of suicide in middle-school youth. Journal of School Health. February 2007; 77(2): 59-66.
  
  
• Collier, DN, Zanga,  JR. Teaching residents and students to help patients and their families with obesity. Virtual Mentor. October 2006. 8: 663-666. Available at: http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2006/10/medu1-0610.html.
  
  
• Cooper, C, Sarvey, S, Collier, D, Willson, C, Green, I, Pories, ML, Rose, MA, Escott-Stump, S, Pories, W. For comparison: Experience with a children's obesity camp. Surg Obes Relat Dis. Nov-Dec. 2006; 2(6): 622-6. Epub 2006 Oct 3.
  
  
• Hill, EG, Slate EH, Wiegand, RE, Grossi, SG, Salinas, C. Study design for calibration of clinical examiners measuring periodontal outcomes. Journal of Periodontol. July/August 2006; 77: 1129-1141.
  
  
• Kolasa, KM, Craven, K, Henes, S, Sullivan, C. The clinical nutritional implications of obesity and overweight. North Carolina Medical Journal. July/August 2006; 67(4): 283-287.
  
  
• Lazorick, S. Integrating a focus on overweight and obesity in clinical practice: Practical suggestions. North Carolina Medical Journal. July/August 2006; 67(4): 280.
  
  
• Senne, TA, Rowe, DA, Decker, JT, Douglas, SM, Boswell, BB. Investigation of lesson contexts and teaching behaviors as related to physical activity levels during middle school physical education instruction. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 77(1) Supplement, A-69.
  
  
• Morrissey, SL, Whetstone, LM, Cummings, DM, Owen LJ. Comparison of self-reported and measured height and weight in eighth grade students. Journal of School Health. December 2006; 76(10): 512-5.
  
  
• Dawson, BC, Borre, KS, Wilson, JL, Kolasa, KM. Macronutrients and Pediatric Obesity. Family Medicine Journal. 2004; 36: 10.
  
  
• Sullivan CS, Beste, J, Cummings DM, Hester VH, Holbrook T, Kolasa KM, Morrissey S, Olsson JM, Gutai JP. Prevalence of hyperinsulinemia and clinical correlates in overweight children referred for lifestyle intervention. J Am Dietetic Association. 2004; 104(3): 433-436.
  
  
• Sullivan CS, Hester VH, Kolasa KM, Holbrook T, Olsson JM, Cummings DM, Beste J, Gutai JP. A dietary intervention for overweight children with hyperinsulinemia. Diabetes. 2003; 52(Suppl 1):A555.
  
  

Presentations

• Collier, DN, Newton, DA. Obesity: Activity/calorie mismatch or environmental obesogens? North Carolina Pediatric Society Annual Meeting, Myrtle Beach, SC, August 2008.
  
  
• Gross-McMillan, Collier, DN. An interdisciplinary approach to the assessment and treatment of children who are overweight. North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Spring Meeting, Greenville, NC, April 2008.
  
  
• Pratt, K, Collier, D, Lazorick, S. Co-locating behavioral and multidisciplinary treatment for childhood obesity at East Carolina University. National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality, 7th Annual Forum for Improving Children's Healthcare and the National Obesity Congress, Miami, FL, March 2008.
  
  
• Cummings, DM, Dubose, K, Imai, S. Fitness vs. fatness and insulin resistance in children. The North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, October 2007.
   
• Olsson, JM, Talente, G, Collier, DN, Pratt, KJ. Teaching residents and medical students how to care for overweight children: Competency-based strategies in curriculum design. Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, May 7, 2007.
  
  
• Owen, LJ, Morrissey, SL, Whetstone, LM. Youths' assessment of their own weight status and related weight management intentions. The North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, October 2007.
  
  
• Whetstone, LM, Owen, L, Morriessey, S, ECU/Duke Childhood Overweight Research Group. Regional differences in childhood obesity: Examples from North Carolina. The North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, October 2007.
  
  
• Willson, C, Collier, DN. No ordinary care. National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality Annual National Forum for Improving Children's Healthcare, San Francisco, CA, March 19, 2007.
  
  
• Bland, P, Goodson, JM, Gunsolley, JC, Grossi, SG, Otomo-Corgel, J. Clinical efficacy and safety with Arestin® in patients with periodontitis. First Annual Joint Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research & American Dental Education Association, Orlando, FL, March 8-11, 2006.
  
  
• Chang, YT, Lurito, K, Monney, J, Darden-Saad, N, Gardner, M, Taylor M. East Carolina University Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center High-Risk Clinic. National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality 2006 National Congress: Accelerating Improvements in Childhood Obesity, Washington DC, September 20, 2006.
  
  
• Collier, DN, Olsson, JM, Crawford, YS, Henes, S. East Carolina University-University Health Systems Pediatric Healthy Weight Comprehensive Care Clinic. National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality 2006 National Congress: Accelerating Improvements in Childhood Obesity, Washington DC, September 20, 2006.
  
  
• Churchill, HS, Owen, LJ, Schmal, S, Whetstone, LM, Morrissey, SL, The Duke/ECU Childhood Overweight Research Group.  Linking environmental and policy outcomes to sustainability: The Fit Together Childhood Obesity Initiative. The American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, November 4-8, 2006.
  
  
• Farooqi, OA, Grossi, SG, Dunford, RB, Rehman, QF, Mehdi, A. Relationship of periodontal and cardiovascular diseases in Pakistani population. First Annual Joint Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research & American Dental Education Association, Orlando, FL, March 8-11, 2006.
  
  
• Goodson, JM, Bland, P, Gunsolley, JC, Grossi, SG, Otomo-Corgel, J. Antimicrobial efficacy of Arestin® in periodontitis therapy. First Annual Joint Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research & American Dental Education Association, Orlando, FL, March 8-11, 2006.
  
  
• Grossi, SG, Goodson, JM, Bland, P, Gunsolley, JC, Otomo-Corgel, J. Subset analysis by smoking status with Arestin® in periodontitis therapy. First Annual Joint Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research & American Dental Education Association, Orlando, FL, March 8-11, 2006.
  
  
• Gunsolley, JC, Goodson, JM, Bland, P, Grossi, SG, Otomo-Corgel, J. Association between antimicrobial and clinical findings with Arestin®  for periodontitis. First Annual Joint Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research and American Dental Education Association, Orlando, FL, March 8-11, 2006.
  
  
• Henes, S, Kolasa, KM, Cummings, DM, Collier, DN, Olsson, JM. Effect of insulin resistance on weight loss in overweight children. The North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting, Tuscon, AZ, October 2006.
  
  
• Hill, EG, Slate, EH, Wiegand, R, Grossi, SG, Salinas, CF. Designing calibration studies for clustered periodontal measures. First Annual Joint Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research and American Dental Education Association, Orlando, FL, March 8-11, 2006.
  
  
• Kolasa, K, Henes, S, Balkman, E. Outcomes from a seven visit medical nutrition therapy protocol with Overweight Youth (KIDPOWER). Experimental Biology (American Society for Clinical Nutrition); San Francisco, CA, April 3, 2006.
  
  
• Kolasa, K, Rawl, R, Whetstone , L, Lee, J. Evaluating community based nutrition education programs: The Food Literacy Partners Program.The North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting, Tuscon, AZ, October 2006.
   
• Lazorick, S. Eat Smart More More North Carolina: What NC pediatricians need to know. North Carolina Pediatric Society Spring Open Forum, Hickory, NC, April 8, 2006.
  
  
• Morrissey, SL, Owen, L, Whetstone, LM. The link between overweight and chronic disease: Health knowledge among middle school students. The North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting, Tuscon, AZ, October 2006.
  
  
• Owen, LJ, Whetstone, LM, Morrissey, SL, The Duke/ECU Childhood Overweight Research Group. Sweetened beverage consumption and its relationship to BMI category and race. The North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting, Tuscon, AZ, October 2006.
  
  
• Schifferle, R, Grossi, SG, Dunford, R, Genco, R. Periodontal therapies and the incidence of bacteremia. First Annual Joint Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research & American Dental Education Association, Orlando, FL, March 8-11, 2006.
  
  
• Whetstone, LM. Evaluating environmental and policy outcomes in the Fit Together Initiative. Part of a complete session: North Carolina's Fit Together Initiative: Funding, managing, and evaluating nutrition and physical activity interventions with a focus on environmental and policy outcomes. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, November 2006.