As moms, the health and wellbeing of our children is at the forefront of our minds. Balancing busy schedules with school, sports and social lives can make it hard for our kids to consistently eat healthy, exercise, perform well in school and manage the stresses of life in a healthy way.

Summer is fast approaching which means more time for fun activities. I’m also thinking about how to keep my boys healthy and happy during the hot summer months, which leads me to share about a great opportunity for our kids to become “TIGER Kids.”

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are conducting a study to learn more about what motivates kids to make healthy choices. The study is called TIGER Kids and it’s a great opportunity right here in our community to contribute to knowledge that could help kids across the country. How cool is that?

Researchers are measuring things that influence how our kids perform in school, how to help them become more active and how to eat healthier. The study is also looking at body image, stress levels, family behaviors (like kids’ relationships with siblings) and other motivating factors that contribute to the choices kids make.

Beyond contributing to research that could help our kids get and stay healthy, what’s in this study for us? Kids will be compensated for participation in TIGER Kids (can earn up to $100 for participation) and they have the opportunity to become a kid scientist! They can help researchers work to discover how to help kids move more, sit less and eat healthier. You and your kids can also get great in-depth information about their health, and kids will receive two “wearables” for a week to track their physical activity.

Participating in this study is easy! You and your child will visit Pennington Biomedical a total of 3 times over a 2 year period. Interested in your child becoming a TIGER Kid? I’ve included the full study details below. To screen for the study, visit http://www.pbrc.edu/TIGERKids or call 225-763-3000.

TIGER Kids Study with Pennington Biomedical

Study Purpose

The TIGER Kids research study will evaluate ways to: increase kids’ physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior (help kids move more and sit less), encourage healthy eating, and assess other factors that may influence school performance, body image, stress and mood. 

About the Study

TIGER Kids participants will attend an orientation session at Pennington Biomedical to learn about the study and receive activity tracking tools. Participants will then visit Pennington Biomedical’s Translational Research Center for Children (TReCC) twice during the study – one visit after the orientation session and one visit two years later.

TIGER Kids participants will also receive valuable health information at no cost. Each participant is eligible to receive a copy of:

• their lab work; including blood sugar and cholesterol tests;
• a printout of their DXA scan, which includes total body fat, total muscle mass, total lean mass and bone density readings; and
• a copy of body measurement data including height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure and heart rate.

TIGER Kids participants will attend a total of 3 study visits over the course of approximately 2 years with the following procedures:

• Body measurements (height, weight, and waist size)
• Blood pressure
• Surveys
• Dietary Questions
• Wear an activity monitor, GPS tracker, and respond to messages on a mobile app for 7-days

Study Qualifications

To qualify, participants in this study should be:

• Be between 10 and 16 years old
• Not be on a restrictive diet

Compensation

Total compensation for the completion of this study is $100.

Study Contact

Parents, are you ready to see if your child qualifies for the TIGER Kids study? Visit http://www.pbrc.edu/TIGERKids to screen online or call 225-763-3000.

Looking for a healthy family fun recipe to cook this summer? Check out these rainbow fruit and veggie spring rolls:

Veggie Spring Rolls

Makes about 24 rolls, 1 roll with dipping sauce is 110 kcals, 2g protein, 17g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 4g fat, 1g saturated fat, 2g monounsaturated fat, 1g polyunsaturated fat

• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 cucumber, peeled
• 1 large avocado, peeled and seeded
• 2 mangoes, peeled and seeded
• 1 package of vermicelli noodles, cooked according to package
• 24 brown rice spring roll wraps
• 1 cup cilantro leaves
• 1 cup basil leaves
• 1 cup mint leaves

Veggie Spring Roll Dipping sauce

• 1/3 cup peanut butter or cashew butter
• 2 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
• 1 ½ Tbsp Reduced Sodium soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp chili sauce (check ingredients for peanut allergens if necessary)
• 2-4 Tbsp warm water for desired consistency

Fruit Spring Rolls

Makes about 10 rolls
1 roll with vanilla yogurt is 65 kcals, 1g protein, 15g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 0g fat

• 1 mango
• 5 strawberries
• 2 kiwis
• 6 pineapple chunks
• 5 romaine lettuce leaves
• 10 Brown rice spring roll wraps
• ½ cup mint leaves
• ½ cup Vanilla yogurt for dipping

Directions

1. Slice fruit or veggies into skinny strips and tear herbs into smaller pieces. Set aside.
2. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a saucepan or kettle and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Prepare the veggie spring roll dipping sauce by combining all ingredients together. Thin with warm water to achieve desired consistency.
4. Add the hot water to a large bowl and submerge one rice paper to soften for about 5-10 seconds.
5. Transfer rice paper to a flat, slightly wet surface and add desired fruit, veggies, and herbs. Fold the bottom of the rice paper up over the fillings, then gently roll over once, fold in the sides to seal, and continue rolling until completely sealed.
6. Repeat process until all toppings are used. 
7. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to a couple days, though best when fresh.

Want more healthy recipes? Check out the Pennington Biomedical metabolic kitchen website! www.pbrc.edu/kitchen

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