Childhood Health: Understanding Early Risks for Obesity and Mental Well-being
Retaining the CANDLE cohort to advance ECHO Cohort solution-oriented research and identify early-life modifiable risk factors for obesity and mental health problems in children
This project aims to understand how early life experiences influence a child's risk for developing obesity and mental health challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319133 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking at information from children and mothers already participating in the CANDLE and ECHO Cohorts to find early life factors that predict adolescent depression and obesity. Our goal is to pinpoint the most important factors so we can develop better ways to prevent these conditions. We are also exploring how a mother's stress during her own childhood and pregnancy might affect her child's mental health risk, and if family or community support can help buffer these effects. Additionally, we are developing a new way to measure a child's overall risk for mental health issues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project uses existing data from children and mothers who are already part of the CANDLE and ECHO Cohorts.
Not a fit: Patients not already part of the CANDLE or ECHO Cohorts would not directly participate in this specific data analysis project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent obesity and mental health problems in children by identifying key factors that can be changed early in life.
How similar studies have performed: While individual risk factors have been studied, this project uses a large national dataset to systematically identify and prioritize the most powerful early life predictors, which is a novel approach for comprehensive prevention targets.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Qi — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Qi
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 below.