Addressing appetitive traits to promote weight management in children who overeat
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11327220 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A family-based program is being tested to help children who overeat improve weight management by reducing food cues and increasing fullness signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $682,432 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135599-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327220 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with overweight/obesity who show high food cue responsiveness and their parents.
✕Less likely to help
Children with obesity not characterized by high food cue responsiveness or families unable to participate fully may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests the Regulation of Cues (ROC) program, a treatment designed for children with overweight or obesity and high responsiveness to food cues. It builds on Family-Based Treatment and aims to reduce overeating by teaching strategies to lower cravings and boost satiety. The study will compare ROC plus standard care to alternative approaches across multiple sites, with both children and parents involved. If successful, the program could offer a more effective, family-centered approach to weight management for kids who struggle with eating behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, families could have a more effective, evidence-based way to help children manage weight and eating behaviors.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier pilots showed ROC is feasible and promising, suggesting potential for improved outcomes in larger trials.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boutelle, Kerri N — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Boutelle, Kerri N
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.