By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Researchers at the University at Buffalo have received a $2.9 million federal grant over five years to develop new ways of treating childhood obesity.
Dr. Leonard Epstein will head up the study that will further research into the concept of "habituation." That's the point at which a person is no longer interested or motivated to eat a particular food.
Epstein hopes to use this to help children lose interest in non-nutritional foods in favor of healthier options.
The study is aimed at overweight 8-12-year-olds.
"Childhood obesity is a prevalent problem that tracks over time," says Epstein. "Obese youth are at increased risk of becoming obese adults. We think this research will provide new treatment strategies to interrupt this extremely unhealthy progression."