Overweight volunteers needed for university study

OVERWEIGHT volunteers are needed for research study at Loughborough University.

Researcher Rebecca Dewhurst-Trigg said they are looking for adults to help explore how becoming obese may increase the risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

She said: “An underlying factor of obesity-associated diseases is a state of long-term inflammation. It is thought that the stomach fat tissue releases substances which may lead to the development of long-term inflammation and heart disease.

“Becoming obese may lead to changes in fat tissue function which may increase the risk of developing heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

Our study aims to explore this by comparing the inflammatory profile of healthy individuals classified as lean and obese.

“We are still seeking adults between 18-40 years who carry more weight than they would like around their middle: waist circumference over 102cm for men and 88cm for women and a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m2.

“If you are unsure if you meet these criteria, we would still like to hear from you as we can double check these measurements in the laboratory.”

Volunteers will be invited to the laboratory on three occasions (total time commitment three hours) at the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University. During the final visit they will collect a small stomach fat sample and a small blood sample.

Volunteers will receive their own data including body composition, dietary assessment, physical activity data, blood data (including cholesterol, glucose, insulin) if they want it.

To volunteer or lean more about the study, contact Rebecca Dewhurst-Trigg at r. dewhurst-trigg@lboro.ac.uk or Dr Oonagh Markey at o.markey@ or by calling 01509 222737.