An interactive tool to help urban minority kids reduce obesity risk
Official title: Intervention INC: An interactive family-centered mHealth tool to reduce obesity risk in urban minority preadolescents
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-10930841 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a fun mobile app that helps families with kids aged 9 to 12, especially those from urban communities, learn how to make healthier choices and reduce the risk of obesity together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $400,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS028650-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930841 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are low-income, black/African-American, and Latino children aged 9 to 12 and their parents or caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the specified age range or those not belonging to the targeted minority groups may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops a family-centered mobile health tool designed to engage urban minority preadolescents and their caregivers in reducing obesity risk. By utilizing multi-modal narratives, such as comics, the tool conveys health messages in an appealing and accessible format. It aims to enhance health behavior change through interactive web-based platforms that support families in making healthier choices. The project collaborates with community organizations to ensure the tool meets the specific needs of low-income, black/African-American, and Latino children aged 9 to 12 and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide an engaging and effective way for families to reduce obesity risk and improve overall health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using interactive and multimedia approaches to engage children in health behavior change, indicating potential success for this novel intervention.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leung, May May — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Leung, May May
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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.