Browsing by Author "Virtanen, Heidi"

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    Acute Impaired Glucoregulation and Disrupted Gastrointestinal Hormone Secretion in Adolescents in Response to Caffeine-Containing and Nutritionally Fortified “Energy Shots”
    (2017) Virtanen, Heidi; Shearer, Jane; Ho, Josephine; Pacaud, Danièle; Reimer, Raylene; Michelle, Jackman
    Caffeine-containing energy drinks (CCED) are beverages containing simple sugars, caffeine and mixtures of vitamin, mineral and/or herbal preparations which are aggressively marketed to adolescents and young adults. This study analyzed the metabolic impact of acute, non-nutritive sweetener-containing CCED consumption on glucoregulation and gut peptide response in adolescents, and how it is affected by genetic variance. CCED consumption induced acute insulin resistance following an oral glucose tolerance test when compared with placebo, with glucose and insulin concentrations rising by 15.8% and 73.0%, respectively. Glucagon-like peptide-1, gastric inhibitory peptide, C-peptide, and pancreatic peptide YY concentrations rose following caffeine and decaffeinated treatments when compared with placebo. Genetically fast caffeine metabolizers had exaggerated glucose and insulin curves following caffeine trials, while slow metabolizers were relatively unchanged. This response to CCED consumption could be detrimental to individuals predisposed to metabolic deficits. Results provoke further exploration into the mechanisms involved in this transient insulin resistance.
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    The readiness and motivation interview for families (RMI-Family) managing pediatric obesity: study protocol
    (2017-04-11) Ball, Geoff D C; Spence, Nicholas D; Browne, Nadia E; O’Connor, Kathleen; Srikameswaran, Suja; Zelichowska, Joanna; Ho, Josephine; Gokiert, Rebecca; Mâsse, Louise C; Carson, Valerie; Morrison, Katherine M; Kuk, Jennifer L; Holt, Nicholas L; Kebbe, Maryam; Gehring, Nicole D; Cesar, Melody; Virtanen, Heidi; Geller, Josie
    Abstract Background Experts recommend that clinicians assess motivational factors before initiating care for pediatric obesity. Currently, there are no well-established clinical tools available for assessing motivation in youth with obesity or their families. This represents an important gap in knowledge since motivation-related information may shed light on which patients might fail to complete treatment programs. Our study was designed to evaluate the measurement properties and utility of the Readiness and Motivational Interview for Families (RMI-Family), a structured interview that utilizes a motivational interviewing approach to (i) assess motivational factors in youth and their parents, and (ii) examine the degree to which motivation and motivation-related concordance between youth and parents are related to making changes to lifestyle habits for managing obesity in youth. Methods From 2016 to 2020, this prospective study will include youth with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥97th percentile; 13–17 years old; n = 250) and their parents (n = 250). The study will be conducted at two primary-level, multidisciplinary obesity management clinics based at children’s hospitals in Alberta, Canada. Participants will be recruited and enrolled after referral to these clinics, but prior to initiating clinical care. Each youth and their parent will complete the RMI-Family (~1.5 h) at baseline, and 6- and 12-months post-baseline. Individual (i.e., youth or parent) and family-level (i.e., across youth and parent) responses to interview questions will be scored, as will aspects of interview administration (e.g., fidelity to motivational interviewing tenets). The RMI-Family will also be examined for test-retest reliability. Youth data collected at each time point will include demography, anthropometry, lifestyle habits, psychosocial functioning, and health services utilization. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between individual and family-level interview scores on the RMI-Family and these clinical measures will be examined. Discussion As a measurement tool drawing on family-centered care and motivational interviewing, the RMI-Family was designed to increase understanding of the role of motivational factors in pediatric obesity management, allowing healthcare providers and policymakers to manage pediatric obesity more effectively and efficiently. Findings will help to create an innovative, tailored model of health care delivery that uses resources judiciously and is designed to best meet families’ needs.