Dr. Cook's research focuses on childhood and adolescent obesity from the perspective of epidemiologic research on cardiovascular risk factors to clinical studies on approaches to prevention and intervention. The first area of research is focused on Metabolic Syndrome: a cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular complications of obesity involving excess abdominal fat, elevated cholesterols, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and high blood glucose. The other area of focus is Community and Health Services Research: involving identification, screening, prevention, and management of childhood obesity.
Dr. Cook pioneered the first national report to describe the metabolic syndrome in U.S. adolescents. His work describes the association of metabolic syndrome with smoking including exposure to second hand smoke and the presence of the metabolic syndrome in adolescents. In addition, his focus on health services research related to obesity features a national description for the diagnosis of obesity and counseling behaviors for children. Ongoing research projects include:
1. Developing a community level cohort of children to study and follow for the development of obesity related risk factors that comprise the metabolic syndrome and tobacco exposure;
2. Ongoing national analyses for the National Institute for Child Health and Development Workshop on defining the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents;
3. Providing an effective practice-level intervention for improved obesity screening and identification;
4. Creating a community resource guide for nutrition and physical activity resources for children and parents
5. Expanding obesity screening and counseling based interventions in primary care pediatrics linked to community agencies and resources.
Learn about our STRONG Kids Study by visiting:
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pediatrics/research/subspeciality/general_pediatrics/strong-kids.cfm
