Exploring the links between childhood obesity and racial disparities
Official title: Identifying interconnections of the disparities in childhood obesity
Funded at Auburn University at Auburn · NIH-10654256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight in kids can be affected by differences in race and income, especially in families with less money and education, by checking their urine for certain substances that might explain why some groups of children are more likely to be obese.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Auburn University at Auburn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Auburn, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 3, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $441,498 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL168608-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10654256 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years from low-income families, particularly those belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not belong to low-income or minority backgrounds may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how childhood obesity is influenced by racial and ethnic disparities, particularly in low-income and low-literacy populations. It focuses on measuring urinary oxidative stress and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in children to understand their relationship with obesity rates among different racial groups. By examining these factors, the study aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that may contribute to higher obesity rates in minority children. The research will involve collecting and analyzing urine samples to identify specific metabolites associated with oxidative stress and obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that reduce childhood obesity and its associated health risks in minority populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing racial disparities in health outcomes can lead to significant improvements in public health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Auburn University at Auburn
Auburn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thangiah, Geetha — Auburn University at Auburn
- Study coordinator: Thangiah, Geetha
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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.