 The trial aims to help obese teenagers learn healthier habits |
Overweight teenagers are being asked to dine in front of a computer as part of a trial to improve their diets. They will eat meals off special plates, connected to a 'mandometer', which records the amount consumed.
The young patients are shown a 'curve of eating rate' which is compared to what they should be aiming for - about 300-350 grams of food in 10-12 minutes.
The 30-month project, at the University of Bristol, aims to tackle the growing problem of obesity among children.
The teenage volunteers are being recruited from a special obesity clinic at the city's Royal Hospital for Children.
Dr Julian Hamilton-Shield, a senior lecturer in child health, said: "We are aiming to recruit as many as 80 teenagers on to our trial.
"Half will continue with the clinic while the other half will be trained to use Mandometer which has been used to help our more difficult adolescent cases lose weight."
Those taking part can also use a portable version of the computer while eating out.
They will also be given a gadget called a Satiety Meter which prompts them to rate their level of fullness and hunger and helps control their food intake between meals.
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