Discordance of Obesity in Adolescent Sibilngs

This research studies the energy balance behaviors (usual eating, physical activity, sedentary) and non-shared experiences of siblings discordant for weight (one sibling is lean the other is overweight). To accomplish this, siblings attend four laboratory sessions where they consume one of two types of kool-aid, smell the pizza, or rest quietly. Siblings then eat a dinner meal. Siblings also wear an activity monitor for one week and record their physical activity and sedentary activities in a habit book.

Inclusion criteria

• between 13-17 years old
• Have discordant same gender sibling (one is below 70th percentile, one is above 85th percentile
• Speak/read English
• Moderate or greater liking of study foods

Exclusion criteria

• No current diagnosis of a psychiatric or eating disorder.
• No dieting, dietary restrictions, or allergies that would interfere with study participation.
• No medications or conditions that could influence taste or appetite.
• No health concern or physical disability that would limit participation in physical activity.
• No endocrine or central nervous system disorder that could produce overweight.
• No current use of tobacco or nicotine products by the adolescent siblings.