Clinical nutrition research
As a clinical research dietitian, I conducted research with the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center and the Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
IDeaLS trial
Improving Diabetes through Lifestyle and Surgery
Study purpose:
Assess effectiveness diabetes mellitus treatment comparing three intervention approaches (medical weight loss, adjustable gastric band, and roux-en-y gastric bypass).
Compare the changes in body composition, sleep health, and gut microbiome with different weight loss approaches at 10% weight loss.
My role:
Adapt educational materials from Look AHEAD and Diabetes Prevention Program for use in one-on-one nutrition counseling format for medical weight loss treatment.
Provide medical nutrition therapy for patients in three treatment arms:
Medical weight loss
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (AGB)
Laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB)
Educate patients on dietary instruction prior to oral glucose tolerance test.
Evaluate patient adherence via dietary analysis using diet records and Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR).
The Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) is the gold standard for dietary assessment in the United States.
SHARE Energy Expenditure Study (SEES)
Study purpose:
Understand the effects of HIV infection on the body’s metabolic rate during walking in HIV+ and HIV- men.
Assess associations between age and level of physical activity in HIV+ and HIV- men using accelerometers (activity monitors).
My role:
Meet with patients to educate them about their role in the study.
Administer DEXA scan to participants.
Assess resting energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry metabolic cart.
Instruct patients on how to use accelerometer to assess physical activity.
A low-FODMAP diet aims to reduce irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal symptoms by limiting intake of fermentable foods. Specifically, it restricts Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polysols.
Study purpose:
Evaluate the effect of a low-FODMAP (less fermentable) diet as compared with a standard healthy diet in patients with IBS who have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
FODMAP IBS
My role:
Write dietary protocol for two double-blind randomized treatment arms: 1. standard of care; and 2. low-FODMAP diet.
Draft patient educational materials describing dietary instruction.
Educate patients on dietary instruction and dietary records.
Evaluate patient adherence via dietary analysis using diet records and Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR).