Exploring how the environment and social connections affect youth physical activity in summer.
Official title: Identifying the reciprocal associations between the built environment, social networks, and physical activity among youth in the summer
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11092157 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the places kids hang out and their friends influence how much they move around during the summer, and it's for young people aged 12 to 15 who want to help us understand what encourages them to be active or what holds them back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $154,004 |
| NIH project number | 5K01HL169818-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092157 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 12-15 years who are entering 7th to 9th grade.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the specified age range or who do not have access to the local school district may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the built environment and social networks influence physical activity levels among youth during the summer months. By using innovative methods like ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and social network analysis (SNA), the study aims to gather real-time data on youth behaviors and their social contexts. The project will recruit 100 participants aged 12-15 years, focusing on their experiences and interactions in natural settings to better understand the factors that encourage or hinder physical activity. This approach seeks to provide a comprehensive view of how different elements work together to impact youth health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for promoting physical activity among youth, particularly during the summer when they are less structured.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using similar methodologies to understand youth behavior and health, indicating a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prochnow, Tyler — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Prochnow, Tyler
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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.