2004 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? The most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2000) indicated that approximately 64% of adults 20 years of age or older are considered overweight. The prevalence of overweight individuals increased from 56% in NHANES III (1988-94) and 47% in NHANES II (1976-80). Approximately 300,000 deaths occur yearly due to obesity-related causes, and the economic cost to the United States is approximately $70 billion per year. A sedentary lifestyle, and the abundance and diversity of food in western societies have been identified as principal factors contributing to an increase in excess body fat of the American population. Regardless of the causative factor, or factors, the fundamental defect is the inability of the individual to match energy intake with energy expenditure over the long-term. Both alterations in macronutrient intake and regular exercise have been identified as ways for individuals to achieve a healthy weight. The debate over how diet composition and physical activity impact voluntary food intake and calorie balance has been a focus of the USDA (such as the Great Diet Debate in March 2000), the public, and the scientific community. Popular publications such as "Sugar Busters", "Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution", and "Eat More Weigh Less" have provided conflicting recommendations, and resulted in public confusion. This project addresses one of the central tenants of recent public health recommendations, that increasing daily physical activity will help individuals maintain healthy weight. However, there is little supporting data for this tenant beyond that extrapolated from epidemiological and cross-sectional studies. This work will provide unambiguous data collected under controlled conditions regarding the effect of increasing daily activity on food intake and long-term weight maintenance. The results of this work are intended to reduce public confusion regarding the conflicting diet and lifestyle recommendations for the maintenance of a healthy weight. This work is consistent with the ARS Human Nutrition Action Plan and addresses three components "Diet, Genetics, Lifestyle, and the Prevention of Obesity and Disease (3.1.1.1)", "Nutrition Monitoring (3.1.2.1)", "Health Promoting Intervention Strategies For Targeted Populations (3.1.1.2)". 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Project was approved 05/20/2004. Milestone 1: (0 - 12 months)- Completion of design and construction of energy metabolism laboratory building 307B. This includes construction of calorimeters, exercise training and testing equipment and physical acitivity monitoring systems. Milestone 2: (12 - 24 months)- Plan and conduct Pilot Study with 20 subjects Milestone 3: (24 - 36 months)- Plan and conduct first cohort from main study based on results of pilot study Milestone 4: (36 - 48 months)- Conduct second cohort of study Milestone 5: (48 - 60) - Conduct third cohort and summarize and publish results 3.Milestones: A. List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2004. How many milestones did you fully or substantially meet in FY 2004 and indicate which ones were not fully or substantially met, briefly explain why not, and your plans to do so. Milestone 1: (0 - 12 months)- Completion of design and construction of energy metabolism laboratory building 307B. This includes construction of calorimeters, exercise training and testing equipment and physical acitivity monitoring systems. Modification of the existing facilities for installation of the new calorimeters started in April of 2004. Construction of the new calorimeters was completed in May and the electrical and plumbing necessary for human habitation was completed August 15. Installation and testing of the analytical system is proceeding and is planned for testing in October of 2004. The equipment for the exercise and physical activity training, monitoring and testing laboratory is in place and is scheduled for testing in October of 2004. B. List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, & 2007). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? The milestones over the next 3 years involve the completion of a pilot study and the first cohort of the study and recruitment of the second cohort. i. 2005 - Complete pilot study and begin recruitment for cohort 1. ii. 2006 - Complete cohort 1 periods 1. iii. 2007 - Complete period 2 and recruit cohort 2. 4.What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single most signifiant accomplishment during FY 2004. This project was approved 05/20/2004. The basic infrastructure for the energy metabolism laboratory was completed and the analytical system is planned for completion by the end of FY 2004. B. Other significant accomplishments. Nothing to report. C. Accomplishments/activities that support special target populations. Nothing to report. D. Progress Report. Nothing to report. 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. None thus far, this is a new project as of 05/20/2004. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? None thus far, this is a new project as of 05/20/2004. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. None thus far, this is a new project as of 05/20/2004.