Structure House Forms Obesity Research Partnership With Duke.

Business and Health Editors/Medical Writers

DURHAM, N.C.--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 7, 2002

Residential Weight Loss Facility and Duke University Medical

Center Department of Psychiatry Collaborate on Obesity Research

Structure House, a healthy lifestyle and residential

Structure House will coordinate its on-campus research involving program participants with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. The resulting research will contribute to the practical knowledge in treating obesity, a health problem which experts now consider a national epidemic.

"As a private clinic, we are fortunate to have a productive research program and to be associated with leaders in the study of obesity," says Gerard J. Musante, Ph.D., Structure House founder and program director. "Our new relationship extends this association and will strengthen future endeavors to serve our program participants."

As part of the relationship, Anna L. Stout, Ph.D. and practicing psychologist, joins Structure House as the associate director of research and clinical programs. Dr. Stout comes to Structure House from DUMC where, since 1991, she has been serving as an associate clinical professor and director of the Women's Behavioral Health Program. Her clinical experience includes eating disorders such as bulimia, binge eating and development of psycho-educational programs for weight reduction and sleep disorders and behavioral treatment programs for anxiety and phobia disorders. Dr. Stout will maintain an office and responsibilities at DUMC.

"Dr. Stout's appointment solidifies the relationship between the organizations," says Richard Surwit, Ph.D., vice chairman for research at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. "The study of obesity is becoming increasingly important, and the research opportunities afforded by the Structure House partnership will complement Duke's nationally acclaimed programs for eating disorders."

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences works to improve understanding and treatment of patients with illness through clinical care, teaching and research. Obesity research is one of ten ongoing research programs in the DUMC department.

Structure House pioneered the behavioral approach to weight loss and healthy lifestyle change. Since 1977, thousands of people from all 50 states and 35 nations have attended the residential program and achieved genuine, quantifiable and lasting weight loss to improve the quality of their physical and emotional health.