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Nutrition Research and Body Composition/Bionergetics and Exercise Testing Labs

We help investigators develop protocols and carry out nutrition and Body Composition/Bioenergetics and Exercise studies. Our staff includes research dietitians and research dietetic technicians, as well as body composition and exercise physiology technicians who operate the DXA machine and other equipment in the Body Composition/Bioenergetics and Exercise Labs. The Research Kitchen is located 2 floors below the Adult CRC Unit facilitating both inpatient and outpatient studies.

Key Services

• Assistance with protocol development
• Nutrition Studies
  
  • Staffed Research Kitchen
  • Development of protocol-specific research diets
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Dietary Intake Analysis
  • Basic Data Management
  • Screening, ongoing evaluation and counseling

Nutrition Studies

Meal Preparation and Service
In the Nutrition Research Kitchen, our trained staff prepare precise diets calculated to control a wide variety of nutrients. We develop and test recipes to ensure palatable menus for unique protocol-specific diets. For outpatient diet studies, subjects may pick up meals several times a week. For inpatient studies, we work with the CRCnursing staff in coordinating meal scheduling requirements and dietary compliance. In addition to screening subjects and explaining your study's dietary requirements, we conduct nutrition assessments and determine food preferences and energy requirements. Our staff works to ensure a good rapport to encourage diet compliance.

Research Diets
Using specialized software (ProNutra), we plan a wide variety of research diets of known nutrient content, including formula, weighed, controlled nutrient, constant, and Adlivitum Diets (using ProNESSY software, we can "weigh in" and weigh out" food items for assessment of ad-libitum intake).

Dietary Intake
Assessment We help investigators select the most appropriate dietary assessment method, including: Nutrition history, multiple-day food records, and 24-hour recalls. Our trained Nutrition Research staff provide instruction, clarification, and analysis of food records. Customized nutrient analysis services are available using the University of Minnesota Nutrient Data System for Research.

Screening, Nutrition Counseling, Diet Assessment, Diet Evaluation, and Compliance
1.) All study participants receive educational materials and counseling to help them understand and follow dietary protocols.
2.) When it is part of the study protocol, nutrition counseling is provided, for example for an experimental group on a Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) diet for prevention of Type II diabetes with diet and exercise treatment. All study participants receive educational materials and counseling to help them understand and follow dietary protocols.

Body Composition/Bionergetics and Exercise Testing Lab

Key Services

• Assistance with protocal development
• Measurement of body composition and energy expenditure
• Submaximal and Maximal Exercise Testing
• Basic data management

 

Located on the GCRC, the Body Composition/Bioenergetics and Exercise Laboratories provide resources for the following:

• Anthropometric Measurements
• Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for measurement of body composition
• Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) for measurement of body composition and bone mineral density
• Indirect Calorimetry for energy expenditure
• VO2max testing using treadmill  or cycle ergometer; with metabolic and ECG measurement capabilities
• Accelerometers for measurement of physical activity
• Accelerometer for measurement of physical activity
• Physical Activity Questionnaires
• CT Scan Analysis (Tomovision sliceOmatic software)

In addition to these services, the School of Nursing, Office of Nursing Research, provides collaborative research services. We have housed our Bod Pod®, a body composition Tracking System, in their facility.

For more information regarding the Office of Nursing Research labs and services please to to: http://www.son.washington.edu/research/internal/
or contact:
Toni Still School of Nursing Office for Nursing Research
Phone 206-221-2415
Email: Toni Still

 

Training

Nutrition Research staff provide personalized educational opportunities for university dietetic students, dietetic interns, and high school students exploring career choices. The UW CRC offers many other educational opportunities as well.

Steps to getting started:

Consult us before you seek NIH or other funding Let us help you with your grant.
We can:

• help you select appropriate diet and nutrition methodologies
• conduct a review of pertinent literature
• assist with grant budget development
  

For new investigators, we also offer help with study design and nutrition resources.
Contact: Holly Callahan, MS, RD
Nutrition Research Manager
Email: hcal@u.washington.edu
Phone: 598-4529

Note: If your needs exceed our staffing capacity, you may need to budget additional support in your grant. We encourage you to take advantage of the UW CRC's other available consultations as well.

Submit an application: In addition to the main application, make sure to download the appendix form for the Nutrition Research Core and Body Composition Lab. Please contact us if you have any questions while filling out the form.