Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) Program

What do cooking and research have in common? A unique opportunity for girls

Many health care providers struggle with the best approaches (and respective ramifications) to treating patients who are obese. A dietary research study at Boston Children’s Hospital may offer some insights to providers and patients.

This study may be an exciting opportunity for patients who meet the following criteria:

• Female
• 13 to 21 years old
• Body mass index in the 85th percentile or greater
• Irregular menstrual periods

Cooking is part of the research: Girls who take part in the study learn to prepare delicious and healthy foods. They chop, mix, boil, stir-fry, sauté, roast, steam and bake with an executive chef.

Study benefits are as follows:

• A work-up for PCOS is done at no cost to the provider or the patient. Research funds cover costs of the work-up. Researchers send a copy of all laboratory test results to the PCP.
• The study focuses on intensive dietary interventions as a first line of treatment (consistent with the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Position Statement) without pharmacological treatment.
• Six in-person visits and six telephone calls with a registered dietitian.
• Three cooking workshops with an executive chef. When each girl completes the six-month study, the study physician determines the best course of action to ensure continuity of care, in communication with the PCP.

Girls receive an American Express gift card ($100) at the end of the study for giving their best efforts.

For more information:
Call: 617-355-2500, option 2
Email: ACES@childrens.harvard.edu OR
visit: bostonchildrens.org/aces