NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Exploring how food insecurity affects weight gain during and after pregnancy

Official title: Longitudinal and Momentary Associations Underlying the Relation of Food Insecurity and Gestational Weight Gain: Toward Obesity Risk Prevention

Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11065496 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how not having enough food can affect weight gain during pregnancy and after having a baby, focusing on how feelings and social situations play a role in what women eat; it's designed for women who might be facing these challenges and aims to find better ways to support their health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project startJune 1, 2024
Project endFebruary 28, 2029
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$189,683
NIH project number5K23DK136927-02
Project IDNIH-11065496 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women experiencing food insecurity or those at risk of excessive weight gain during and after pregnancy.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not face issues related to food insecurity may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the connections between food insecurity and weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum. It aims to understand how psychological and social factors influence eating behaviors and weight changes in women during these critical periods. The study will utilize innovative methods, including ecological momentary assessment, to gather real-time data on participants' experiences and behaviors. By partnering with communities, the research seeks to promote health equity and identify effective strategies for preventing obesity in at-risk populations.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions that help pregnant women manage their weight and reduce obesity risk.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in addressing food insecurity and its effects on health, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
    Pittsburgh, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Call, Christine — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
  • Study coordinator: Call, Christine

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.